Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Jake Paul in Sixth Round: Complete Fight Recap and Aftermath

Anthony Joshua returned to the ring on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami and ended Jake Paul’s undefeated streak with a sixth-round knockout. The fight, streamed globally on Netflix, saw Joshua assert his experience over Paul, whose career has largely been built on high-profile crossover bouts.

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The opening rounds were measured. Paul relied on movement and distance to avoid Joshua’s power punches, circling the ring and keeping exchanges brief. Joshua stayed patient, looking for openings without overcommitting. By the fifth round, the pressure began to tell. Joshua landed clean shots that sent Paul to the canvas multiple times, forcing him into difficult positions and limiting his movement.

The fight ended in the sixth round when a straight right from Joshua sent Paul down again. Paul struggled to rise, and the referee stopped the fight at 1 minute 31 seconds. The knockout marked the first stoppage loss of Paul’s professional career. He was taken to hospital, where scans revealed a double fracture of the jaw.

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Joshua improved his record to 29 wins, four losses, and 26 knockouts. Paul now stands at 12 wins and two defeats. Speaking after the fight, Joshua acknowledged it wasn’t his smoothest performance but said he executed his strategy when it mattered. He also called out Tyson Fury, hinting at potential high-profile matchups in 2026.

The reaction from the boxing community was mixed. Some criticized the early pacing and noted that the fight highlighted the difference between celebrity crossover bouts and elite professional boxing. Others focused on Joshua’s decisive finish and his ability to capitalize on the openings he created.

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For Joshua, the win restores momentum and keeps him in the conversation among heavyweight contenders. For Paul, the defeat and injury underline the gap between exposure and experience at the top level of the sport. Both fighters now face clear paths ahead: Joshua toward potential championship bouts, and Paul toward recovery and reassessment of his boxing career.