British heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua marked a powerful return to the ring by delivering a decisive knockout victory over social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The highly-anticipated bout, broadcast live on streaming platform Netflix, took place in Miami on Saturday, 20 December 2025.
Joshua's Dominant Performance Seals Victory
The fight saw Anthony Joshua in commanding form, flooring his opponent three times before ending the contest. The finish came halfway through the sixth round when Joshua landed a devastating right hand that sent Paul to the canvas for the final time. Following the knockout, the two-time world champion showed respect to Paul, lifting his hand in a gesture of sportsmanship.
In his post-fight comments, Joshua acknowledged his opponent's resilience. "Jake Paul has done really well tonight. I want to give him his props, he got up, time and time again," he stated. However, the 36-year-old was critical of his own showing, admitting, "It wasn't the best performance. It took a bit longer than expected. But the right hand finally found the destination."
Paul's Reaction and Physical Disparity
Despite the defeat, Jake Paul remained upbeat. "I'm feeling good, that was fun. I love this sport. I gave it my all," the 28-year-old said. He added, "I got my ass beat, but that's what this sport is about. I'mma come back and keep on winning." Paul attributed part of his struggle to fatigue, conceding, "I just got tired to be honest. He did amazing and hits really hard."
The physical advantage was clear from the outset. At Friday's weigh-in, Joshua tipped the scales at 243.4lbs (17st 5lbs), while Paul came in at 216lbs (15st 6lbs). This gave the British fighter a significant weight advantage of almost two stone. For Joshua, this was his lightest weight since his first fight against Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
Significance of the Fight for Both Careers
This bout ended a 14-month hiatus for Joshua, following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. For Jake Paul, this represented the biggest test of his boxing career since he began fighting professionally in 2020. It was only the second time Paul has weighed in above the cruiserweight limit, the first being his controversial bout against 58-year-old Mike Tyson, which he won by unanimous decision.
The event, staged in Miami, underscores the growing trend of major boxing matches being secured by streaming services, with Netflix broadcasting this high-profile showdown to a global audience.
