Joshua KOs Paul in 6th round of heavyweight bout

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua pummeled Jake Paul in their highly anticipated boxing match, biding his time before scoring a sixth-round knockout Friday night at Kaseya Center in Miami.

The stoppage came 1:31 into the round. It marked the first knockout loss of Paul's career.

Joshua dropped Paul, a YouTube star turned boxer, three times - twice in the fifth round and once earlier in the sixth - before scoring the finish.

Joshua returned to the win column in what was his first fight since September 2024. The 36-year-old Englishman was coming off a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.

"It wasn't the best performance. It wasn't the best," Joshua said of Friday's victory during his postfight interview in the ring. "The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down, and hurt him. That has been the request leading up (to the fight), and that was what was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found a destination."

Paul said he was "feeling good" after the loss but believes he broke his jaw. A video posted on X by ESPN Ringside showed significant damage to Paul's teeth.

"I gave it my all. ... Anthony's a great fighter," Paul said. "I got my ass beat, but that's what this sport's about. I'm gonna come back and keep on winning."

He added: "I think my jaw is broken, by the way. It's definitely (broken). But man, that was good. Nice little ass whooping from one of the best to ever do it."

Paul's six-fight winning streak came to an end with the loss. The 28-year-old now sits at 12-2 as a professional boxer.

Joshua praised Paul for his efforts in what was the latter's toughest fight to date.

"He's done really well tonight," Joshua said. "I want to give him his props. He got up time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way. It takes a real man to do that. Anyone who laces up these gloves, we always say we give them their respect. We have to give Jake his respect for trying and trying and trying. Well done.

"But he came up against a real fighter tonight that had a 15-month layoff. We shook off the cobwebs and I can't wait to roll into 2026."

Joshua, who's now 5-1 in his last six outings, could have a massive year ahead of him. It was reported earlier this month that Riyadh Season is planning to hold a mega fight between Joshua and former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in 2026. Joshua sent a message to Fury after his triumph over Paul.

"If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenge," Joshua said, "step in the ring with me next if you're a real bad boy. Don't do all that talking, 'AJ this, AJ that.' Let's see you in the ring and talk with your fists."

Paul said he plans to "take a little break" from boxing but vowed to continue his career.

"For sure," Paul said when asked if he wants to keep fighting. "We're gonna heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight, (and) go for the cruiserweight world title."

Review our commentary and analysis from the entire card here.

Round 1 🥊

Joshua takes the center of the ring immediately, stalking Paul. Joshua lands a glancing right hand but otherwise a feeling-out process in Round 1.

theScore scores the round 10-9, Joshua.

Round 2 🥊

Joshua continues to walk down Paul, but he hasn't landed much of consequence yet. It feels like he's waiting to land a big shot. Paul has done a good job of staying out of danger.

theScore scores the round 10-9, Joshua.

Round 3 🥊

Joshua is getting a bit more aggressive. Paul lands a jab, his best shot of the fight so far. Joshua gets in some good punches in the clinch and also lands a nice body shot. Paul keeps grabbing hold of Joshua, clearly trying to avoid damage. He's slowing down a bit.

theScore scores the round 10-9, Joshua.

Round 4 🥊

Joshua starts the round with a sharp jab that snaps Paul's head back. Paul lands a flurry of punches and a jab. Joshua tags Paul with an uppercut. Paul keeps slipping and falling to the canvas. At the end of the round, Paul goes for a takedown! This is getting out of hand.

theScore scores the round 10-9, Joshua.

Round 5 🥊

The fight is heating up now. Paul is winging big shots but missing. Joshua is coming forward. Joshua drops Paul! He's OK. 1:15 left in the round. Joshua drops him again! Paul is up. Fifty-two seconds. Joshua lands some big shots late.

theScore scores the round 10-8, Joshua.

Round 6 🥊

Joshua drops Paul again 25 seconds in. Paul gets up and says he wants to continue. Big uppercut from Joshua. Paul sticks his tongue out. Joshua is going in for the kill. He knocks Paul down with a big punch. The referee waves it off! Joshua wins.

Official result: Anthony Joshua def. Jake Paul via KO at 1:31 of Round 6.