British heavyweight Anthony Joshua reasserted his dominance in the ring with a decisive sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul during their high-profile clash at Miami's Kaseya Center on Friday night. The victory marks a critical comeback for the two-time former unified world champion following a 15-month recovery period from elbow surgery.
Joshua (36) strategically dismantled Paul's defenses after a tentative opening, leveraging his professional experience against the YouTube star-turned-boxer. The bout concluded dramatically when Paul failed to rise after multiple knockdowns, later requiring hospitalization for jaw fractures and reconstructive surgery.
"This win isn't just about tonight – it's about proving I still belong at this level," Joshua stated post-fight, referencing his September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. While analysts noted slight ring rust, the Olympic gold medalist demonstrated improved footwork and calculated aggression that overwhelmed his 28-year-old opponent.
The event drew global attention, blending traditional boxing audiences with Paul's digital-native fanbase. Promoters estimate over 2 million pay-per-view purchases worldwide, underscoring the crossover appeal of this athlete-versus-influencer matchup.
With this victory, Joshua positions himself for potential title eliminators in 2026, while Paul faces questions about his boxing future after his first career knockout loss. Medical teams confirm the Ohio native will require six weeks of recovery before resuming training.
