In their contentious Netflix-backed fight on Friday in Miami, former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The gap in physical size and class between Britain’s two-time world champions Joshua and Paul, an internet personality who has forged a lucrative career through a few novelty boxing contests, had sparked outrage in boxing following the fight at the Kaseya Center, where both men reportedly split a $ 184 million purse.
However, Joshua persevered in the end to defeat his far less accomplished opponent, before his superior size and power eventually paid off in the eight-round fight with a sixth-round knockout.
Paul kept pounding on Joshua’s legs and repeatedly dropping the canvas in a lackluster contest before becoming a farce.
Even referee Christopher Young once gave the impression that the fighters in the fourth round were losing patience: “The fans did not pay to see this crap.”
The 6′ 6″ (1.85m) tall Joshua started pounding more frequently as Paul grew tired, and after knocking down the 6′ 1″ American twice in the fifth round, the victory was swift.
After teeing up Paul with a crunching left, Joshua backed the 28-year-old into a corner and delivered the decisive blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent flying to the canvas.
Afterward, Joshua, 36, admitted, “It wasn’t the best performance.” However, Jake Paul was ultimately meant to be harmed, pin him down, and hurt.
That was the question that came to mind, I thought. The right hand eventually arrived at its destination after a little longer than expected.
Praise for Paul
Paul was praised for staying put into the later rounds by Joshua, who was also critical of him.
Joshua said, “I want to give him my props because he repeatedly got up,” He had a difficult time finding a way there, but he kept trying. A real man is required to accomplish that.
While Paul was claiming that despite Joshua’s final assault having broken his jaw, he was satisfied with his performance.
That was enjoyable. “Paul said, “I gave it my all.” I had a blast. By the way, I believe my jaw has broken. However, Anthony is one of the best at it, so. I’m going to win a world championship when I return.
I just got tired, to be honest, because it was carrying so much weight. I believe I could have maintained it and kept fighting with better cardio. But he really hits hard.
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The made-for-streaming fight on Friday, which took place just over a year after Paul had previously fought a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-debated Netflix fight, had been widely dissented throughout boxing, with many warnings that Paul was likely to suffer a serious injury.
However, Paul struggled to stay within Joshua’s bounds as he battled to avoid the devastating first or second round knockout that most had anticipated failed.
Joshua always appeared to be the more dangerous fighter, landing 48 of the 146 punches thrown, compared to Paul’s pathetic total of 16 landed. This was when Joshua was fighting for the first time in 15 months.
The Briton will now be looking forward to a money-making fight with compatriot Tyson Fury, who was formerly the world champion, next year.
“We wiped away the cobwebs,” Joshua said, “and I can’t wait to start 2026.” Let’s put on some gloves and fight if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is.
Source: Channels TV
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