Anthony Joshua Stops Jake Paul, Wins by Sixth-Round Knockout

Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul by knockout at 1:31 of the sixth round on December 19, 2025, in Miami’s Kaseya Center, handing Paul his first stoppage loss and sending the YouTuber-turned-boxer to hospital with a broken jaw. The bout, billed as "Judgment Day" and streamed on Netflix, ended after a sustained run from Joshua that included multiple knockdowns and a finishing right to the chin.

What happened in the ring

The first four rounds were measured, with Paul using movement and clinches to avoid Joshua’s power, and Joshua establishing range with the jab. The momentum shifted in the fifth round, when Joshua landed heavier, more consistent punches and scored multiple knockdowns. Early in the sixth round, Joshua landed a decisive right to the head that put Paul on the canvas, and referee Christopher Young stopped the fight at 1:31 of round six.

Paul rose to his feet repeatedly during the late rounds, showing resilience and heart, but the sequence in the fifth and sixth left no doubt about the outcome. The victory gave Joshua a clear stoppage win, and left Paul dealing with significant facial injuries.

"It took a little bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination," Joshua said after the fight, praising Paul for getting up and keeping at it.

"Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days," Paul wrote on social media in the hours after the bout, and later posted X-rays and an update from a hospital bed.

Scores, records and fight facts

Additional facts from the event:

• The match was scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, and was promoted as a heavyweight contest.
• Crowd reports and outlets listed an arena near capacity, with heavy global interest due to streaming coverage.
• Multiple outlets reported Joshua knocked Paul down several times across rounds five and six before the stoppage.

Medical update and aftermath

Paul confirmed a broken jaw via social media, and later posted from hospital after undergoing surgery. Reports from multiple outlets indicated he had fractures in two places and required surgical repair, with Paul himself posting that titanium plates were inserted and that some teeth were removed. Team and promoter statements described the operation as successful and said he would be on a liquid diet during early recovery.

Multiple perspectives

Joshua and his camp

From Joshua’s side the win was a statement, a return to form after recent ups and downs against top heavyweights. Joshua emphasized the result more than the performance, saying the objective was to close the fight out, and he gave Paul credit for lasting longer than some expected. For Joshua, the victory reshapes short-term matchmaking talk, with names like Tyson Fury and other heavyweight title paths reappearing in post-fight conversation.

Paul and his supporters

Paul’s team framed the night as a valiant effort against a larger, more experienced fighter. Supporters praised his toughness, noting that he lasted until the sixth round and that he continued to engage despite clear physical punishment. Paul’s social posts after the bout were defiant and light hearted at times, and those close to him described the surgery as routine for the injury he sustained.

Critics and boxing purists

Many boxing observers criticized the matchup as an uneven contest in size and experience. Critics said the bout reinforced concerns about the collision of celebrity spectacle with competitive matchmaking, and asked whether these headline events advance the sport or simply serve entertainment demand. Others pointed to the safety questions raised when a natural cruiserweight steps in against an established heavyweight with significant punching power.

What the result means next

• For Anthony Joshua, the win is a recovery marker and gives him leverage to push for big-name heavyweight fights, including potential rematches or bouts with current titleholders should negotiations align.
• For Jake Paul, the loss is the most damaging of his career in terms of health and optics. The injury will require a recovery period, and questions about weight class, opponent selection, and long-term boxing ambitions will dominate his next choices.

Key takeaways

• Winner: Anthony Joshua, by sixth-round knockout, Dec. 19, 2025, Kaseya Center, Miami.
• Impact: Joshua reclaims momentum in the heavyweight ranks, while Paul faces medical recovery and a fresh crossroads in his boxing career.
• Broader debate: The fight intensified the ongoing conversation about celebrity crossover fights, competitive integrity, and fighter safety when large size and experience gaps exist.

Final note

The result is now part of both fighters' records, and the aftermath will be judged in two ways: the tangible path forward for Joshua as a top heavyweight, and how Paul repairs both his health and his standing in a sport that has rewarded spectacle but still measures credibility in the ring. For fans and the boxing establishment, the Joshua-Paul event will be another reference point in the complex debate over crossover bouts, medical risk, and what big-money matchups mean for boxing going forward.