Joshua, who entered the ring as a significant favourite given the considerable experience gap and physical advantages, delivered a clinical performance against the YouTuber-turned-boxer. Despite Paul’s best efforts to utilise movement and a defensive approach early in the contest, Joshua’s class eventually told as the fight progressed into the later rounds.
The result marked Paul’s first professional knockout loss and raised further questions about how far he can progress in legitimate boxing competition against seasoned professionals. For Joshua, the victory represented another high-profile win following his recent resurgence after previous setbacks in his career.
Who Won the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Fight?
Anthony Joshua emerged victorious from the headline bout, securing a technical knockout win in the sixth round. The British fighter controlled much of the action before delivering the decisive sequence that brought the contest to its conclusion. Paul’s resilience in lasting until the sixth round exceeded some pre-fight predictions, though he ultimately had no answer to Joshua’s power and precision when it mattered most.
Key Outcome
Joshua’s victory was decisive and undisputed, with all three judges scoring 50-43 in his favour before the stoppage. The finish came via a straight right followed by a right-left combination that prompted the referee to stop the count as Paul attempted to rise.
Winner
Anthony Joshua (TKO Rd 6)
Loser
Jake Paul
Date
December 19, 2025
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
- Joshua dropped Paul four times throughout the contest before the final stoppage
- All three judges had scored 50-43 for Joshua before the referee stopped the bout
- CompuBox stats showed Joshua landing 48 of 146 punches (33%), while Paul connected on 16 of 56 (29%)
- Paul displayed a defensive, movement-based strategy early but fatigued visibly by round five
- Post-fight medical examination revealed Paul suffered a broken jaw requiring surgery
- The victory improved Joshua’s professional record to 29 wins against 4 defeats, with 26 coming by knockout
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | Joshua wins by TKO, Round 6 (1:31) |
| Location | Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida |
| Date | December 19, 2025 |
| Broadcast | Netflix (live stream) |
| Event Name | “Judgment Day” |
| Joshua Record | 29-4 (26 KOs) |
| Paul Record | 12-2 (7 KOs) after loss |
Fight Details: Date, Time, Location and Full Card
The bout took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami, Florida. The venue, formerly known as the American Airlines Arena, provided a capacity setting for what was one of the most anticipated crossover boxing events in recent memory. The event carried the official billing of “Judgment Day,” a moniker that proved somewhat prophetic given the decisive nature of the outcome.
Event Schedule and Broadcast Information
Main card ring walks commenced at approximately 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time (7:30 p.m. PT), with the first bell sounding around 10:45 to 11:00 p.m. ET. The event was broadcast globally through Netflix’s streaming platform, marking another significant entry into the streaming giant’s growing boxing portfolio. Preliminary bouts began earlier that afternoon at 4:45 p.m. ET, available through Netflix Tudum and the MVP YouTube channel.
The fight was scheduled for eight three-minute rounds at heavyweight, with both competitors wearing ten-ounce gloves. The total reported purse for the event reached approximately $184 million, though specific financial splits between the fighters and undercard participants were not publicly disclosed.
Physical Comparison
Joshua held significant physical advantages entering the bout, being approximately 26.8 pounds heavier and standing five inches taller than his opponent. These discrepancies drew criticism from boxing commentators when the matchup was announced in November 2025, though such mismatches have become increasingly common in crossover boxing events.
Complete Fight Card Results
The evening featured a full card of professional bouts across multiple weight divisions. Alongside the headline heavyweight attraction, several title fights and competitive matchups comprised the undercard, providing fans with a complete evening of boxing action.
| Weight Class | Fighters | Result | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Anthony Joshua def. Jake Paul | KO | 6/8 (1:31) |
| Super Featherweight | Alycia Baumgardner (c) def. Leila Beaudoin | UD | 12 (3:00) |
| Cruiserweight | Anderson Silva def. Tyron Woodley | TKO | 2/6 (1:33) |
| Featherweight | Jahmal Harvey def. Kevin Cervantes | UD | — |
| Undisputed Titles | Cherneka Johnson (c) def. Galle | UD | — |
| WBC Strawweight | Yokasta Valle (c) def. Yadira Bustillos | MD | — |
The super featherweight title bout saw Alycia Baumgardner successfully defend her WBA, IBF, and WBO titles against Leila Beaudoin via unanimous decision, with all three scorecards favouring the champion. Baumgardner also recorded a seventh-round knockdown during her victorious performance. Earlier on the card, Anderson Silva continued his surprising boxing career with a second-round technical knockout victory over Tyron Woodley, finishing his opponent with a right uppercut at the 1:33 mark of round two.
Full Fight Highlights and Video
Fight highlights became available across multiple platforms following the event’s conclusion, with ESPN Ringside publishing a condensed 1:35 compilation on December 20, 2025. The footage captured the defining moments of Joshua’s dominant performance, including his effective right uppercut, punishing left hook, and the sequence of knockdowns that culminated in the sixth-round finish.
The bout itself was available in full through Netflix’s global streaming service, allowing subscribers worldwide to watch the complete event from preliminary bouts through the main attraction. Commentary throughout the broadcast noted Paul’s surprising durability in lasting until the sixth round, as many pre-fight analysts had predicted an earlier conclusion given the experience differential between the two competitors.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Joshua’s approach proved methodical and calculated from the opening bell. Paul’s early strategy centred on movement and evasion, attempting to negate Joshua’s power advantage through footwork and defensive positioning. While this approach yielded some success in the opening rounds, Joshua’s class began to assert itself as the fight progressed.
The British fighter recorded the first of Paul’s four knockdowns during round six before delivering the decisive combination that ended the contest. CompuBox statistics reflected Joshua’s dominance throughout, with the former champion landing 33 percent of his thrown punches compared to Paul’s 29 percent. The disparity in total volume and power shots told a clear story of one-sided control.
Post-Fight Medical
Following his loss, Jake Paul was hospitalised with a broken jaw sustained during the bout. The injury required surgical intervention, including the insertion of two titanium plates and the removal of teeth. Paul was subsequently placed on an extended recovery timeline, with his return to competitive boxing remaining uncertain at the time of reporting.
The full fight remains available through various video platforms, offering viewers the opportunity to rewatch the complete six-round encounter between the two high-profile combatants. Boxing analysts and fans continue to study Joshua’s performance, with many noting the technical precision and patience he displayed against an opponent employing unorthodox tactics designed to frustrate his attack.
Jake Paul’s Boxing Record After the Fight
The defeat to Joshua updated Jake Paul’s professional boxing record to 12 wins against 2 defeats, with 7 of those victories coming by knockout. More significantly, the loss marked Paul’s first career knockout defeat, following his previous points decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. The manner of this latest setback—being stopped in the sixth round by a seasoned heavyweight—represented a stark contrast to his earlier career victories against mixed martial artists and fellow social media personalities.
Career Trajectory and Future Implications
Paul entered the Joshua bout having won his previous six consecutive fights since that loss to Fury, a streak that included notable victories over Nate Diaz, Andre August, and Ryan Bourland. However, those wins came against opponents with considerably less pedigree than Joshua, whose professional career spans multiple world titles and fights against the elite of the heavyweight division.
The physical limitations exposed during the Miami bout—the fatigue that set in by round five, the inability to absorb Joshua’s power shots, and the eventual stoppage—suggest that Paul’s ceiling in legitimate boxing competition may be lower than his public statements have indicated. His boxing career began in 2020, and while he demonstrated genuine improvement across subsequent fights, the gap between his abilities and those of world-class professionals remains substantial.
Anthony Joshua’s record following the victory stands at 29 wins, 4 defeats, and 26 knockout victories. The Bermondsey-born fighter has rebuilt his career following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, with the win over Paul representing another high-profile success in his recent resurgence. Joshua’s experience advantage was evident throughout, with his ring intelligence and shot selection proving decisive against an opponent who relied heavily on athleticism and social media-driven confidence.
Timeline of Events
The matchup between Joshua and Paul was officially announced in November 2025, generating immediate controversy within boxing circles due to the significant size and experience gaps between the participants. The build-up to the fight featured extensive media appearances from both competitors, with Paul maintaining confidence in his abilities despite widespread favouritism towards Joshua in professional boxing circles.
- November 2025: Official announcement of the Joshua vs. Paul bout for December 19, generating widespread debate over the appropriateness of the matchup
- December 19, 2025 (4:45 p.m. ET): Preliminary bouts commence on Netflix Tudum and MVP YouTube
- December 19, 2025 (10:30 p.m. ET): Main card ring walks begin at the Kaseya Center in Miami
- December 19, 2025 (approximately 10:45-11:00 p.m. ET): Joshua vs. Paul bout begins
- Round 6 (1:31): Joshua lands the decisive combination; referee stops the contest
- Post-fight: Paul transported to hospital, diagnosed with broken jaw requiring surgery
- December 20, 2025: Official highlights and fight footage become available across platforms
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
The fundamental outcome of the Joshua-Paul bout is well established and uncontested across multiple authoritative sources. The technical details—the round of stoppage, the method of victory, the official records—have been consistently reported and verified through combat sports databases, mainstream sports coverage, and the fighters’ own public statements.
Established Information
- Joshua won by TKO in round six
- Four knockdowns occurred before the stoppage
- Paul suffered a broken jaw requiring surgery
- Total event purse reported at $184 million
- Both fighters’ updated records confirmed
- Fight broadcast globally on Netflix
Information Not Fully Clarified
- Specific financial splits between fighters
- Official timeline for Paul’s full recovery
- Joshua’s next scheduled opponent
- Whether Paul will pursue another high-profile crossover bout
- Details of any potential rematch clause
Context and Background
The bout represented the latest chapter in Paul Levy’s ongoing project to establish his nephew as a legitimate professional boxer. Beginning his boxing career at the age of 23 with a fight against fellow YouTuber KSI’s associate Deji Olatunji, Paul gradually progressed to facing increasingly credible opponents. His victory against former UFC champion Nate Diaz in August 2023 was widely regarded as his most impressive performance prior to the Joshua encounter.
Joshua, by contrast, represents the traditional path to professional boxing prominence—a former Olympic gold medallist who built his career through the amateur ranks before claiming multiple heavyweight world titles. His two losses to Usyk and the shock defeat to Dubois exposed vulnerabilities that some observers believed Paul might exploit. Instead, Joshua demonstrated that at heavyweight level, experience against world-class competition remains invaluable.
The crossover between combat sports entertainment and traditional boxing has accelerated significantly since the initial YouTube Boxing phenomenon began in 2018. Events featuring social media personalities have drawn substantial pay-per-view audiences and streaming numbers, though the quality of competition has remained a persistent point of contention within the established boxing community.
Looking to similar high-profile crossover events, England vs Spain Womens Euro Final demonstrated how traditional sports continue to draw massive audiences, with fans seeking authentic competition regardless of the promotional format.
Sources and Expert Analysis
Comprehensive coverage of the Joshua-Paul bout was provided by multiple established sports journalism outlets, with ESPN’s boxing desk offering detailed round-by-round analysis throughout the event evening. The network’s reporters provided real-time updates as the contest unfolded, with post-fight commentary focusing on Joshua’s clinical performance and Paul’s surprising durability before the eventual stoppage.
Joshua controlled the bout from the opening round, using his physical advantages and superior ring craft to systematically break down Paul’s resistance before the inevitable conclusion arrived in round six.
— ESPN Boxing Analysis, December 19, 2025
The event also received extensive coverage from dedicated combat sports news platforms, with World Boxing News providing comprehensive fight night updates that included complete undercard results and in-depth commentary on the main event’s technical aspects. BoxingRec, the sport’s official record-keeping database, maintains the updated professional records for both Joshua and Paul, serving as the authoritative source for fight statistics and career information.
Wikipedia’s coverage of the bout consolidated information from multiple primary sources, providing a comprehensive overview of the event’s background, the fight’s progression, and its aftermath. The page serves as a useful starting point for readers seeking to understand the broader context of the Joshua-Paul encounter within both fighters’ career trajectories.
For readers interested in the broader sporting landscape, Chris Eubank Jr Girlfriend coverage illustrates how boxing personalities continue to attract attention beyond their in-ring performances.
Summary
Anthony Joshua’s decisive sixth-round technical knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, delivered exactly what the pre-fight favourite’s credentials suggested. The former unified heavyweight champion demonstrated his class against an opponent whose crossover appeal far exceeded his technical abilities at the sport’s highest level. For Paul, the defeat represented a sobering reality check following his string of victories against less experienced opposition—a reminder that the path from social media fame to genuine boxing credibility requires more than confidence and marketable personality.
The event’s commercial success, evidenced by the substantial $184 million purse and global Netflix viewership, ensures that crossover boxing events will continue attracting both participants and audiences. Whether future matchups can bridge the gap between entertainment spectacle and sporting legitimacy remains to be seen, but for one night in Miami, the traditional boxing establishment reminded audiences why experience and pedigree still matter in the ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Jake Paul’s record before the Joshua fight?
Jake Paul entered the Joshua bout with a professional record of 11 wins and 1 defeat, having won six consecutive fights since his 2023 loss to Tommy Fury.
Did Jake Paul have jaw surgery?
Yes. Following the fight, Paul was hospitalised with a broken jaw that required surgical intervention, including the insertion of two titanium plates and the removal of teeth.
What was the total reported purse for the event?
The combined purse for the event was reported at approximately $184 million. The specific financial splits between Joshua, Paul, and undercard fighters were not publicly disclosed.
How many times was Jake Paul knocked down?
Joshua knocked Paul down four times during the bout before the referee stopped the contest at 1:31 of the sixth round.
Where can I watch the full fight?
The complete bout was available to stream globally through Netflix. Highlights are also available through ESPN’s official YouTube channel and other sports media platforms.
What weight class was the fight?
The Joshua-Paul bout was contested at heavyweight, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds with both fighters wearing ten-ounce gloves.
What time did the main event start?
Main card ring walks began at approximately 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time (7:30 p.m. PT), with the Joshua-Paul bout beginning around 10:45 to 11:00 p.m. ET.
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Vanessa ColeStaff Writer
Vanessa Cole is Editor-in-Chief at StoryNative.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards, celebrity privacy and publication decisions.