In a spectacle that lived up to its “Judgment Day” billing for all the right—and some would say ugly—reasons, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua silenced the “Problem Child” on Friday night.
In front of a global audience on Netflix, Joshua scored a devastating sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami, ending the social media star’s most ambitious boxing experiment to date.
The Fight Breakdown: A Game of Survival
From the opening bell, the physical disparity was impossible to ignore. Joshua, towering over Paul with a significant reach and weight advantage, spent the early rounds stalking a mobile, retreating opponent.
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Rounds 1–4: Paul utilized a “hit-and-run” strategy, frequently clinching and even dropping to his knees to avoid Joshua’s power shots. While the tactics drew boos from the Miami crowd and criticism from commentators like Mauro Ranallo, they allowed Paul to survive the early onslaught.
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Round 5: The tide turned violently. Joshua finally managed to cut off the ring, landing a crisp left that buckled Paul’s legs. This was followed by a sharp right-hand counter, resulting in the first two official knockdowns of the night.
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The Finish (Round 6): With Paul clearly exhausted and reeling, Joshua trapped him in the corner. After a series of heavy shots, a thundering right cross sent Paul crashing to the canvas for the final time. The referee reached the count of ten at the 1:31 mark, declaring Joshua the winner by KO.
Post-Fight Reactions: Respect and a Broken Jaw
Despite the heated buildup, the two fighters shared a moment of sportsmanship in the ring. Joshua gave Paul credit for his durability, though he admitted it wasn’t his “best performance” due to Paul’s elusive tactics.
“It took longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination,” Joshua said. “Jake Paul has done really well tonight. It takes a real man to get up time and time after getting hit like that.”
Paul, who later claimed he believes his jaw was broken in the final exchange, remained defiant about his future in the sport. “I gave it my all. I got my ass beat, but that’s what this sport is about. We’re going to heal up and come back to fight people my own weight.”
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
The victory serves as a successful “reset” for Anthony Joshua after his 14-month hiatus. With this win, the path is now cleared for a massive domestic showdown in 2026:
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AJ vs. Tyson Fury: Promoter Eddie Hearn immediately called for the long-awaited “Battle of Britain,” suggesting 2026 will be the year they finally settle the score.
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Jake Paul’s Pivot: Paul indicated he intends to return to the cruiserweight division, likely targeting traditional boxers or MMA stars rather than elite heavyweights.
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Netflix’s Power Play: With a reported record-breaking viewership, this event solidifies Netflix as a major player in live combat sports.
by Matt J. Doyle
eZWay Network
MattJDoyle.Com
