Joshua v Paul recap - Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua stops Jake Paul in sixth round of heavyweight bout
Updated 20/12/2025 at 14:04 GMT
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua put his reputation on the line as he faced Jake Paul in the most unlikely of boxing contests. Despite landing a knockout punch in the sixth round, his bout at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida seemed to signal the end of his claims to be among the heavyweight elite.
Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Jake Paul after their heavyweight bout during Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua at Kaseya Center on December 19, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
Image credit: Getty Images
Joshua looks close to end in Paul victory
Anthony Joshua did knock Jake Paul out in the sixth round of their heavyweight title fight, but looked a shell of the man who was twice crowned heavyweight champion before the dramatic end.
Joshua, fighting for the first time since his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois 15 months ago, was made to miss wildly with shots in the first four rounds, while Paul ran laps around the ring throwing little, in an embarrassing spectacle for a once-elite fighter.
The end of the fourth saw the exhausted Paul continually slip to the canvas and Joshua landed on top of him with a knee to his chest at one stage, after which the referee gave the WBA No. 15-ranked cruiserweight time to recover.
In the fifth round, Paul was twice on the canvas. He seemingly turned his ankle after taking a right uppercut-left hook and shortly after took a knee.
Then, after a glancing right hand in close, he went to the floor holding the 2012 Olympic champion's legs.
In the sixth, Paul had no ability to run away from Joshua and went down again after a shot in close, before the dramatic knockout finally came, as Joshua caught the influencer with a flush right hand in the corner.
Paul, who said afterwards his jaw was broken, tried to get up but couldn't beat the referee's 10-count.
Though Joshua called for a fight with Tyson Fury afterwards, it is now a contest which perhaps only the new audience watching him, due to Paul's status, are likely to have a big interest in.
Watching this tacky spectacle, it was strange to recall Joshua as a fighter who was in and won the most exciting heavyweight fight of his generation against Wladimir Klitschko and, though outclassed, performed creditably twice against modern great Oleksandr Usyk.
Financially, he may have a future in the ring, but his time as a serious heavyweight boxer is almost certainly over.
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Jake Paul fights Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight bout during Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua at Kaseya Center on December 19, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
Image credit: Getty Images
Joshua calls for Fury fight in 2026
After defeating Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua called for a bout with Tyson Fury in 2026.
"If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers, put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters there is who will take on any challenge..." Joshua said.
"Step in the ring with me if you’re a real bad boy. Don't do all this talking, 'AJ this, AJ that'. Put your gloves on and do your talking with your fists."
Joshua admits not the best performance
"It wasn't the best performance," Joshua said. "The end goal was to get Jake Paul down and hurt him.
"It took a bit longer than I expected, but the right hand got there in the end.
"We have to give Jake his respect and he came against a fighter coming off a 15-month lay-off and I had to shake the cobwebs off."
Paul said afterwards: "I think my jaw is broken, by the way. I just got tired in the end. If I had better cardio I think I could have lasted the fight."
Joshua stops Paul in Round 6
Joshua lands another right hand and again Paul goes down holding Joshua's leg. Paul is exhausted and can't move around the ring. Instead, he takes some shots against the ropes before eating a flush right hand which sends him crashing to the floor. Paul tries to beat the count but is counted out.
Joshua-Paul: Round 5
Paul takes an uppercut from Joshua but soon after 'slips' to the floor again. Paul swings at Joshua when in close. Joshua landed with a left honk and Paul seemed to turn his ankle. He goes to the floor soon afterwards and takes an eight count. Another right from Joshua and Paul goes down hugging his opponent's leg. Paul lands a big right of his own but Joshua takes it without flinching. Paul is then pounded in the corner but survives until the end of the round.
Joshua-Paul: Round 4
Joshua comes out in the fourth round with a purpose. He lands with his first solid jab to the head and then pushes Paul to the ground. Paul lands an overhand right and a strong jab of his own. Joshua tries to set him up with a right hand in the corner but Paul ducks away to cheers from the crowd. Joshua lands an uppercut after a clinch but it wasn't like the one against Klitschko. Joshua then pushes Paul to the canvas and lands on him with his knee. Paul is given time to recover.
Paul keeps flopping to the canvas and Joshua on that occasion hits him to the body when he is on the floor.
This is a hideous spectacle.
Joshua-Paul: Round 3
Joshua is only landing with body shots while Paul mainly just runs around the ring. Paul tried an uppercut in close but it was easily blocked. Paul caught Joshua with a good jab while Joshua keeps missing with big swings.
I think you would have to say this is extremely embarrassing now. Who would want to see Fury-Joshua after this?
Joshua-Paul: Round 2
Joshua has a couple of big swings and misses. Paul sticks his tongue out afterwards. Paul stops throwing anything for the most part, except a couple of shots to the body. Paul looks comfortable when they clinch with his wrestling background, though in the closing stages Joshua threw a right to the body which Paul seemed to feel.
This is getting into embarrassing territory for Joshua though.
Joshua-Paul: Round 1
There was maybe one punch each landed in the round as Paul circled Joshua. He landed an overhand right, while Joshua connected, barely with a punch to the body. Not much else to report. After one clinch, Joshua fell down onto op of Paul.
Here we go...
"Are you ready to make history?"
The announcer says. Will Jake Paul last the first round? would be my question. And I would say no.
Joshua does looks a little on edge I have to say.
Paul hops down to the ring
He is wearing a Hulk Hogan-inspired outfit and is accompanied by 6ix9ine.
Joshua is on his way to the ring
He does look leaner than he has for a while. As part of the conditions of the fight he had to weigh under 245lbs.
Freeway raps as Joshua makes his way into the ring.
Freeway raps as Joshua makes his way into the ring.
The national anthems are completed
Next the fighters will be introduced for the 8-round contest.
The Main Event is next...
The fighters are going through their final preparations.
Baumgardner wants three minutes fights going forward
"I gave myself an A+," Baumgardner said. "Just for showing up.
"This was for my dad. I buried my dad last year and it's been a hard transition period.
"She didn't hurt me at all. It was fun though. I enjoyed it.
"Three minutes is my style. Anyone who fights me it has to be three minutes."
Baumgardner retains her world titles
The 'Bomb' takes the fight 117-110 (twice) and 118-109.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 12
Beaudoin with another good right hand early in the final round that sends Baumgardner bouncing off the ropes. Another counter left hook gets Baumgardner's attention, as do a couple of body shots. The pair end the fight swinging in the final round and again it is Beaudoin who lands the better shots. Credit to her after being beaten for most of the fight. Maybe she left thing stood late. On the bell Baumgardner seems to stagger the Canadian but the former takes the last two rounds.
I would score the fight 117-110 in Baumgardner's favour.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 11
The champion clearly steps up the pace at the start of this round and it leads to Beaudoin holding, desperately so after a flush right. Beaudoin lands two right hands in the last minute and they have Baumgardner hurt. She then adds a couple of body shots and it is the champion holding more in the closing stages.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 10
Strangely, Baumgardner lands little in the first two minutes but a couple of strong shots with either hand in the final minute are felt by the Canadian fighter.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 9
Beaudoin lands with a couple of solid shots, a strong jab an overhand right but they tend to just bounce off Baumgardner's chin. It might be Beaudoin's best round since the opener as she lands another right on the bell.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 8
Beaudoin gets a stern warning from the referee for hitting after the break. Baumgardner keeps bouncing on her toes as the round goes into the final minute knowing her chances to get through increase, but Beaudoin sees the end of this round without much more damage. That said she looks a sorry sight in the corner with endswells working on both eyes and her bloody nose being treated too.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 7
The champion stepping up the pace, jabbing to the body then coming over the top with her right hand, like the great Tommy Hearns used to do. Beaudoin has swelling under both eyes now. A nice left hook is landed by Baumgardner in the closing seconds of the round lands and then she follows up with a big right hand which puts Beadoin down. She tasks the count then returns to her corner.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 6
Beaudoin gets through with a nice left hook midway through the round but lands little else. Baumgardner begins varying her attack to body and head in the final minute aimed at bringing her opponent's hands down. That's five rounds on the trot won by the champ.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 5
Beaudoin's left eye looks like it is closing a little which is adding to her woes. She is trying to roughhouse Baumgardner, but the American is more than prepared to do this while in the clinch. A right uppercut and a left hook in the closing stages make Beaudoin appear to wilt.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 4
Beaudoin is (wo)manhandled and thrown to the floor. It seems to be a sign the fight is being taken away from her.Baumgardner is still not landing that much but the Frencdh-Canadian is doing little of note now.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 3
Baumgardner forces Beaudoin back with her looming presence for much of the round and the American is beginning to dominate the exchanges. There is a swelling under the left eye of the Canadian where she has taken a number of straight right hands.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 2
Baumgardner landing some crisp left jabs in this round, plus a straight right which the Canadian takes well. Beaudoin lands a few shots downstairs but with less authority.
Baumgardner-Beaudoin: Round 1
A respectful opening with neither wanting to over-commit. You have to score it an even round with neither fighter landing much at all.
Introductions are over...
The action will now begin.
Baumgardner now on her way...
A violinist accompanies her as she dances her way to the centre of the arena.
Beaudoin makes her way to the ring
She looks very confident and calm in walking towards and into the ring.
Joshua is in the arena
No problems with traffic tonight.
A real boxer in action next...
Actually two, but Alycia Baumgardner (16-1-1, 7 KOs) is a star and we would expect her to deal with challenger to her unified world super-featherweight title fight against Leila Beaudoin (13-0-1, 2 KOs).
This fight is a first for women's boxing as it will be fought over 12 three-minute rounds.
Silva calls out Weidman
Chris Weidman was the man who ended Anderson Silva's long reign as middleweight champion and the Brazilian wants to face him next in the ring.
The pair were scheduled to meet last month but the fight was called off after Weidman tore a tendon in his bicep.
When he has recovered, Silva wants him in the ring to avenge his two losses to Weidman in the Octagon.
"Chris I know you hurt your arm," Silva said in the ring afterwards.
"Let's show ex-UFC boxers can do a good job in boxing."
Silva stops Woodley in Round 2
Silva lands a brutal uppercut and then two big right hooks and Woodley goes to the canvas. He gets up and is allowed to fight on but weirdly with him looking vulnerable in the corner. Anderson offers a hand tap which Woodley responds to and then the referee stops the fight.
Silva-Woodley: Round 1
Woodley through and landed a lot of shots, but they had little impact. Silva threw next to nothing so you can't give him the round but even at 50, he possesses menace that has his opponent fearful of what will land.
The crowd looks empty at present
You presume it will fill out by the time of the main event. I'm not too surprised this contest doesn't grab their attention to be honest.
Former UFC greats meet next...
Record-breaking former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (3-2 in boxing, 2 KOs) takes on former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (0-2 in boxing). Both men were beaten by Jake Paul in the squared ring.
Harvey wins on points
He is given the fight 60-53 on all three scorecards.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 6
Harvey rocks Cervantes' head back with an uppercut but is caught by a wild swinging overhand right. Again it does not matter against this opponent but could cause him difficulty if he does not take more care when he steps up in class. The uppercut looks like his honey punch throwing it in a way in which his opponents will find hard to prevent it landing - and he lands a couple more in the last minute.
A comfortable win for Harvey. He obviously has talent and it will be interesting when he fights a competitive contest.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 5
Harvey lands six jabs in a row which impresses David Haye on commentary. Harvey showcases all the punches in his arsenal but does not come close to stopping his opponent. Cervantes starts throwing more leather at the end of the round and you get the feeling he will fancy the job he would have had in mind to hear the final bell.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 4
Harvey lands a couple of hurtful blows and Cervantes' will seems to be ebbing as little bit. The next round will be the one which may see Harvey get a stoppage.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 3
Harvey rocks Cervantes a couple of times sending him back towards the ropes, but one thing the underdog doesn't lack is heart. As Harvey pauses after each barrage, Cervantes again looks to edge closer with his hands high.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 2
Harvey lands a number of shots to head and body. Cervantes actually catches his opponent with a right hand, something Harvey's team will surely caution him over. Switching back to orthodox Harvey looks just as slick but would want to be getting Cervantes out of there soon.
Harvey-Cervantes: Round 1
Harvey showcases his lightning fast hands and a right-left combination drops Cervantes. He thought it was a slip but the referee ruled it a knockdown. There is a clear difference in class between the pair.
Harvey-Cervantes up first
Two rookie super-featherweights Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO), an amateur world champion, and Kevin Cervantes (5-0) meet in a six-round contest. Harvey is full expected to win the fight.
Let's get down to brass tacks...
The main event should not go a full round. It should not go close to it. It is difficult to think there has been a fighter has been more out of their depth against a top-ten heavyweight. The only comparison might be when George Foreman came up against five heavyweights in a night in 1975 but that was classed as an exhibition - and the opponents, unlike Paul, were heavyweights.
If it were Tyson Fury I would be wary that he may take his time and entertain the crowd by taking it a few rounds, as Floyd Mayweather did against Conor McGregor, or to not prepare properly for the contest. I do not see Joshua doing either. I don't think he would want the humiliation and to be mocked that Paul took him a few rounds.
Even if he does not look to throw bombs early, any clean shots are likely to rock Paul substantially and the fight should not last long after that point.
The fact that Paul was entertaining a fight against lightweight champion Gervonta Davis a few months ago shows how crazy a match up this is. Hopefully Paul does not take too much punishment in the contest.
The main card is next...
This will see:
- Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua (8-round heavyweight contest)
- Alycia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin (12-round unified super-featherweight title fight)
- Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley (6-round cruiserweight fight)
- Jahmal Harvey vs Kevin Cervantes (6-round super-featherweight contest)
Johnson wins by unanimous decision
She takes the fight 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and stays the unified bantamweight champion.
Johnson-Galle: Round 10
The fighters stay at close quarters for the final two minutes and get a standing ovation from those at ringside. There was little in the last with Johnson as in most rounds landing the slightly more eye-catching shots.
Johnson-Galle: Round 9
Johnson forcing her opponent back with shots early on. Galle is looking to hold on more. They both land good hooks in close, neither really hurting the other. Johnson clearly has the more energy at this stage.
Johnson-Galle: Round 8
Johnson is getting dragged into Galle's fight being drawn into close combat. When they split, Johnson, who now has a cut high on her forehead too, lands the better shots which probably get her the round. Galle has her moments to the body though.
Johnson-Galle: Round 7
Gaklle lands a good three-punch combination to the body but it only spurs Johnson into action landing a couple of one-twos herself. Again are period of holding interspersed with action.
Johnson-Galle: Round 6
There was more holding in this round and less in the way of quality, though Johnson landed a couple of solid rights in the closing stages.
Johnson-Galle: Round 5
There is increasingly more fighting in a phone booth as neither needs to worry about being able to see their opponent from there. Johnson is getting the better of it, but it remains an even fight. And won which has pebble-dashed the canvas in blood.
Johnson-Galle: Round 4
Credit to Galle she may think she is on her way out and is putting everything into it, but in the closing stages a hook from Johnson noticeably rocks her.
Johnson-Galle: Round 3
The referee got the doctor to check Gale's cut. It is not helping that Johnson keeps landing on that spot. Galle is finding it harder to see Johnson's shots which are landing with greater regularity.
Johnson-Galle: Round 2
Blood is streaming down both fighters' faces now. Galle's cut is on her forehead, and bleeding profusely, clearly coming from a clash of heads. I'm not sure the referee will let the contest go too long.
Johnson-Galle: Round 1
Johnson immediately forces Calla backwards, pushing her towards the ropes and landing with hooks upstairs. Galle is throwing some shots but they are bouncing off the champion. She has opened up a cut over Johnson's eye in a potential difficult position though.
Johnson-Galle next...
The pair meet in the last prelim contest as Cherneka Johnson defends her unified bantamweight title against Amanda Galle.
Dubois wants Baumgardner down the line
"I feel like I could have done more," Dubois said in the ring after the contest.
"I'm happy that I could entertain."
On a possible big fight between her and super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner, who takes on Leila Beaudoin in the night's chief support contest, Dubois thinks the pair are still a little way away from a contest.
"Not next, but definitely down the line I want the fight," Dubois said.
Dubois wins unanimous points decision!
She takes the fight on all three judges' scorecards, with them all giving her the fight 99-91. She retains her WBC lightweight crown.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 10
Dubois has her opponent missing more in this round. Content to catch her opponent with jabs coming in as well as a brutal right hook int he closing stages. A fine display from Dubois.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 9
Panatta goes to the floor from a push, a sign that she may be weakening but she has more success in this round, maybe catching Dubois more than in any other. Not that her shots have too much effect. I'll give her that round though.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 8
Panatta is being a little smarter, crowding Dubois and not giving her as clean shots like the one which put her down. That said she did eat an overhand left, which she took well it must be said.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 7
You have to admire Panatta's bravery she is still continually coming forward throwing shots. She is catching more of them but can be proud of this effort.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 6
A beautiful counter-right hook from Dubois sends Panatta down to the canvas. She survives until the end of the round, Dubiois will look to get her out of there now.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 5
You would hope that Dubois would be forcing Panatta back a bit more at this stage. Although winning the rounds - and she did land a couple of hurtful body shots -- she is pacing herself and looks a bit tired going back to her corner.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 4
Panatta looking to cramp Dubois' room and has some success but can't maintain the pace for a full round. Dubois' jab has opened up a lump under Panatta's eye.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 3
Dubois showing her full repertoire. The accurate jab, nasty right hook to head or body and overhand left. It feels like she cold wear down Panatta by the middle stages of the contest.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 2
A more even round with Panatta settling into the fight and showing she deserves to be in the contest. The punch of the round is a left cross from Dubois.
Dubois-Panatta: Round 1
Dubois immediately lands her southpaw jab flush on Panatta, who is also a lefty. Panatta is looking to rough up her opponent and almost rugby tackles her to the ground. A dominant round for Dubois.
First up...
We have Caroline Dubois, sister of Daniel who defeated Anthony Joshua in his last fight, defending her WBC Lightweight title against Camila Panatta.
Hello and Welcome...
Thanks for joining our coverage of the boxing event in Miami, Florida topped by the strangest boxing main event of the year, as two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua faces Jake Paul.
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