Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Jake Paul in Sixth Round Heavyweight Clash

20 December 2025

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua. Credit : Ed Mulholland/Getty

When Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua stepped into the ring on December 19, 2025 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, fans knew they were witnessing one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year. The matchup, officially billed as Judgment Day, paired YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul against former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a professional bout that drew global attention, massive viewership on Netflix and intense discussion across the sports world. Ultimately, the result was decisive: Joshua defeated Paul by knockout in the sixth round, handing Paul his first career stoppage loss and sending him to the hospital with significant injuries.

From the opening bell, the physical contrast between the two fighters was apparent. Joshua, a seasoned boxer with multiple world titles on his résumé and a reputation as one of the sport’s premier heavyweights, entered the ring with a clear mission. Weighing in substantially heavier and more experienced, he brought a combination of power, technique and ring savvy that few opponents have matched in recent years. Paul, by contrast, had carved out a career largely outside traditional boxing pathways, building a following through social media and previously tackling a mix of crossover fights and exhibitions before accepting this significant step up in competition. The matchup itself was controversial from the outset because of the size and experience gap between the two men, but it nonetheless generated a storm of interest and conversation worldwide.

Round after round, Joshua’s strategy unfolded with methodical precision. He controlled the pace of the fight with disciplined jab work, sharp combinations and an ability to cut off the ring effectively, keeping Paul from dictating terms or turning the bout into the spectacle he often thrives on. Paul showed heart and durability early, making it through multiple rounds against an elite opponent and even briefly demonstrating moments of resilience in the third and fourth rounds. But as the contest progressed, the gulf in experience became more pronounced, and Joshua’s tactical pressure began to wear Paul down.

Clay-ton power from Joshua culminated in the fifth and sixth rounds, when he knocked Paul down multiple times with heavy, clean shots that illustrated the difference between a decorated heavyweight and a fighter still finding his footing at the elite level. The referee ultimately stopped the fight early in the sixth, a moment that sparked both cheers and sympathetic gasps from the packed arena crowd. With the referee’s count complete, the result was official: Julius “AJ” Joshua had won by knockout at 1:31 of the sixth round.

The physical toll on Paul was immediately visible. After the stoppage, he was assisted from the ring and taken to the hospital, where further examinations revealed that he had suffered a broken jaw in two places. In a later social-media update, Paul shared details about his surgery, including the insertion of titanium plates and the removal of several teeth to repair the damage sustained in the fight. He was placed on a liquid diet during recovery and faced weeks of rehabilitation, but his message to fans was one of resilience and gratitude to the medical staff and supporters who stood by him.

Though the outcome was decisive, the fight generated conversation far beyond the result. It became one of the most-viewed boxing events of the year, drawing millions of viewers globally on Netflix and reaching audiences that included dedicated fight fans, casual observers and followers of Paul’s extensive online presence. Industry analysts estimated viewership in the tens of millions, with social-media engagement peaking around key moments in the fight. Even critics who questioned the matchup’s sporting merit acknowledged that the spectacle succeeded in capturing widespread attention and financial success, with reports suggesting a significant purse for both fighters and substantial commercial impact.

Joshua, for his part, spoke respectfully of Paul after the fight, commending his determination and praise for stepping into the ring against a formidable opponent. Joshua’s victory not only bolstered his own legacy but also set the stage for future high-profile matchups, including talks of potential clashes with other prominent heavyweights such as Tyson Fury or a platform to reclaim titles he once held. For many in the boxing world, Joshua’s performance reinforced his status as a top draw and a potent force in the heavyweight division.

Among the broader narratives surrounding the fight was its reflection of how combat sports have evolved in the digital age. Paul’s rise from internet celebrity to legitimate professional boxer has been a polarizing journey, with supporters celebrating his ability to bring new fans into the sport and critics lamenting that celebrity and spectacle have sometimes overshadowed traditional skill and merit. Nonetheless, his willingness to challenge himself against an elite boxer like Joshua, and to absorb punishment rather than retreat, won grudging admiration even from skeptics. Paul publicly expressed his intention to return to the sport once he recovers, hinting at future fights at cruiserweight where he may find a more natural competitive environment.

In the wake of the fight, discussion turned toward what the loss means for Paul’s career and for boxing more broadly. Analysts and former fighters debated the implications for the sport’s future, from the role of crossover stars in major events to how boxing’s older generation of champions will navigate a landscape increasingly saturated with high-profile, big-money matchups. Yet even as some critics decried the mismatch or questioned the spectacle, Joshua’s victory served as a reminder that traditional boxing values and elite skill remain paramount when the gloves go on and the bell rings.

Ultimately, the Paul-Joshua fight will be remembered not only for the knockout and the broken jaw but also for the cultural moment it represented one where the worlds of mainstream entertainment and professional sport collided on one of the biggest stages in combat sports today. Its reverberations will be felt in discussions about matchmaking, athlete development and the evolving relationship between celebrity and competitive achievement in boxing as the sport heads toward 2026.