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| Image Source :: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters |
A Heavyweight Reality Check
In one of the most talked-about boxing matches of 2025, Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their heavyweight showdown in Miami. That’s the result, plain and clear — and it didn’t happen by accident. Joshua’s experience, size and power eventually overwhelmed Paul, ending the fight before the scheduled eight rounds could finish. Wikipedia+1
This wasn’t just another influencer boxing night — it was a collision between two very different worlds of combat sport.
The Build-Up: Hype Meets Reality
Judgment Day at the Kaseya Center
The bout, officially titled Judgment Day, took place on Dec. 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. It was streamed live on Netflix and featured a full fight card with established boxers and crossover names alike. Wikipedia
Jake Paul — the former YouTube star turned pro boxer — came in with a 12–1 record, seven of those wins by knockout. He’d beaten names like Mike Tyson (yes, that Tyson, via decision) in 2024 and was riding some momentum. Wikipedia
Anthony Joshua, on the other hand, entered as the seasoned veteran — a two-time unified heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most respected big men in the sport. Headliners line up behind names like Tyson Fury in his next chapter. Wikipedia
Before the fight, many saw Joshua as the heavy favorite, though some bettors and fans fancied Paul to pull off an upset. ESPN.com
What Happened in the Ring
Early Rounds: Cat and Mouse
For the first few rounds, the fight didn’t explode the way some expected. Paul used movement, circling and caution to make things tricky for the bigger Joshua. That strategy frustrated many fans — some felt they were watching more avoidance than engagement. ESPN.com
Joshua, patient and tactical, bided his time. He landed clean combinations when he could and wore Paul down over the course of the early rounds.
Turning Point in Round Five
By the fifth round, Joshua started finding his range and applying sustained pressure. He scored multiple knockdowns, visibly rocking Paul and forcing him into survival mode. Reuters
Sixth Round Finish
Then came round six:
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Joshua landed a devastating right hand that sent Paul to the canvas.
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Paul rose, but was clearly compromised.
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A follow-up shot put him down again, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:31 of the sixth.
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The result: Anthony Joshua by sixth-round KO. Wikipedia+1
Paul later acknowledged in post-fight interviews that he believed he’d suffered a broken jaw from the final blow — a serious injury that underscored the gulf in experience and physicality. MMA Fighting
What This Means for Both Fighters
Anthony Joshua
For Joshua, this was a moment to reclaim relevance after a hiatus from the ring. The win adds to his legacy and positions him for future big fights — most notably a potential showdown with Tyson Fury, a name he’s called out since this victory. Wikipedia
It also reminds the boxing world that even though he’s not at his peak, he’s still a heavyweight force: patient, powerful and capable of ending a fight when he needs to.
Jake Paul
Paul’s stock didn’t crash entirely. He survived longer than many critics predicted and showed toughness beyond what some gave him credit for. But the knockout loss — and the injury — is a humbling reality check.
His professional boxing record now stands with this second loss (12–2), and it’s clear the step from entertainer-fighter to elite boxer remains huge. Still, Paul’s knack for selling fights and drawing eyes is undeniable, and many fans expect him to come back — perhaps at cruiserweight, closer to his natural size. Wikipedia+1
Beyond the Ring: Cultural Impact and Reactions
This fight wasn’t just about gloves and jabs. It stirred conversation about where boxing is headed and how crossover stars affect the sport.
Pop Culture Meets Sport
Netflix broadcasting, social-media buzz, celebrities ringside and the unusual pairing itself all made this more than just a boxing match. Millions tuned in — not just fight fans. Some purists scoffed, calling it a “circus fight” or a stunt. ESPN.com
But whether you loved it or hated it, it got people talking. That’s part of Paul’s brand — and part of what makes figures like him polarizing in boxing.
The Broader Boxing Picture
Now that Joshua has this win behind him, boxing heavyweights and superfights are back in the spotlight. A clash with Fury or other top names would be huge, and this victory gives Joshua that platform.
Meanwhile, Paul’s future moves — maybe a return at a more suitable weight class — will shape the next stage of his career.
Quick Facts
Here’s a snapshot of the headline stuff fans care about:
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Fight Result: Anthony Joshua wins by 6th-round knockout over Jake Paul. Wikipedia
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Fight Name: Judgment Day (Dec. 19, 2025) at Kaseya Center, Miami. Wikipedia
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Pauls’ Record Post-Fight: 12–2 with 7 KOs. Wikipedia
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Joshua’s Record Post-Fight: ~29–4 with ~26 KOs. Wikipedia
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Injury Note: Paul suffered a suspected broken jaw. MMA Fighting
Broadcast: Live on Netflix, part of a stacked fight card. Netflix
Final Verdict
So, who won the Jake Paul fight? The answer is Anthony Joshua — decisively, with a knockout that reasserts his status in heavyweight boxing.
For Paul, this is a setback and a moment of truth. But it’s also another chapter in a career that’s been about defying expectations — sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
Boxing purists may scoff. Casual fans might tune in next time anyway. Because at the end of the day, whether you love him or not, Jake Paul has become part of the conversation — even on nights like this one when he gets put squarely in his place.
References
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Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, fight details and results — Wikipedia. Wikipedia
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Joshua knocks out Paul in the sixth round — multiple outlets reporting. KSL+1
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Post-fight injury and reactions — news reports. MMA Fighting
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Jake Paul boxing record — Wikipedia. Wikipedia
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Pre-fight context and boxing community views. ESPN.com
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