In a highly anticipated heavyweight clash at the Kaseya Center, two-time world champion Anthony Joshua delivered a decisive sixth-round knockout victory over social media sensation turned boxer Jake Paul. The bout, which drew massive global attention, saw Joshua overcome an evasive start from Paul to secure his first win in over a year, improving his record to 29-4 with 26 knockouts.
The fight unfolded as an ugly affair in the early rounds, with Paul circling away and showing reluctance to engage, frustrating the crowd and Joshua alike. However the tide turned in Round 5 when Joshua landed a punishing body shot for the first knockdown, followed by a sharp 1-2 combination that sent Paul to the canvas again.
Entering Round 6, Joshua pressed the attack, dropping Paul with a thunderous right hand and finishing him off with a short right that prompted the referee to stop the contest at 1:31.
Paul, whose record now stands at 12-2 with 7 knockouts, suffered a suspected broken jaw from the final punch but remained defiant in defeat. "Man, I've already won in every single way in life," Paul said post-fight. "I'm going to come back and fight people my weight and go for the cruiserweight world championship at some point."
For Joshua, the victory marks a return to form and sets the stage for potential mega-fights, including a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. Reflecting on the performance, Joshua stated, "It wasn't the best performance... It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination."
This event, broadcast worldwide, underscores the evolving landscape of boxing where traditional champions meet crossover stars, captivating new audiences and generating unprecedented buzz.