Anthony Joshua secured a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, but not before the fight's referee delivered a blistering critique of the early action, telling both fighters the crowd "didn't pay to see this crap."
Referee Loses Patience in Miami
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash at the Kaseya Center on December 20, 2025, proved a messy affair in its opening stages. Joshua, the former two-time world champion, was fighting for the first time in 15 months and showed clear signs of ring rust. Meanwhile, Jake Paul employed a series of delaying tactics, including complaining about low blows and slipping under minimal pressure.
This frustrated approach culminated at the end of the fourth round, when referee Christopher Young had seen enough. Bringing the fighters together, he issued a stern warning that was picked up by Netflix's broadcast. Commentator Mauro Ranallo exclaimed, "Christopher Young with the call of the night: the fans did not pay to see this crap."
Joshua Finds the Punch, Paul a Broken Jaw
Despite the awkward start, Joshua eventually found his rhythm and power. In the sixth round, he unleashed a relentless barrage of punches that finally overwhelmed Paul. The social media star turned boxer was stopped and left nursing a broken jaw, having defied the odds by taking the fight into the later rounds.
Immediately after the victory, Joshua was candid about his performance. "It wasn't the best performance," he admitted. "It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination." He did, however, pay credit to Paul's resilience, stating, "He got up time and time again... It takes a real man to do that."
What Comes Next for AJ?
The win, which is estimated to have boosted Joshua's bank account by around £70 million, sets the stage for a huge 2026. With the "cobwebs" shaken off, Joshua immediately turned his attention to the heavyweight division's biggest name.
He issued a direct challenge to Tyson Fury, saying, "If Tyson Fury is as serious as he says he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves... step in there with me next if you're a really bad boy." The victory keeps Joshua on course for a potential blockbuster all-British showdown, while Jake Paul is left to recover from a punishing defeat.
