Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made a successful return to professional boxing with a sixth-round knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in their much-anticipated bout streamed live on Netflix.
Joshua entered the contest as a heavy favourite, with anything short of a knockout widely viewed as one of the biggest potential upsets in modern boxing. Despite Paul’s professional record of 12 wins from 13 fights, including seven knockouts, the legitimacy of his résumé had been questioned, with most of his victories coming against ageing opponents or fighters transitioning from mixed martial arts.
The fight took place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, where Joshua’s superior experience and ring intelligence were expected to make the difference. That expectation was echoed by his promoter, Eddie Hearn, who had dismissed Paul’s confidence in the build-up, describing the contest as an opportunity to expand Joshua’s profile in the United States while securing a major payday.
Although the strategy, according to Hearn, was to end the fight early, Paul’s movement and resilience initially frustrated Joshua. The former champion remained composed, however, patiently applying pressure and gradually wearing his opponent down.
Joshua had confidently stated before the bout that there was “zero chance” the fight would go the distance. While the stoppage came later than anticipated, the decisive finish ensured there was no doubt about the outcome.
Paul, who had spoken boldly about causing an upset and even challenging for a world title, struggled as the rounds progressed and was ultimately outmatched by Joshua’s power and control.
The victory also eased concerns about Joshua’s sharpness, as the fight marked his first appearance in over a year following his title loss to Daniel Dubois. Displaying composure and authority, the Watford-born boxer delivered on his promise to show “no mercy.”
After several competitive rounds, Joshua finally found his opening, flooring Paul and forcing the referee to bring the contest to an end in the sixth round. The performance underlined the clear gap in experience between both fighters and signalled Joshua’s readiness for a return to elite-level competition.
