Anthony Joshua had a dominant performance in their highly anticipated boxing bout Friday night in Miami, Florida, defeating Jake Paul by sixth-round technical knockout (TKO). The contest, held at the Kaseya Center and live-streamed to millions across the world on Netflix, was one of the year’s most talked-about crossover events.

Build-Up and Expectations

When it was announced that former two-time WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (29-4, 25 KOs) would face social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs), the boxing community was divided. Traditionalists questioned the matchup’s authenticity, while millions of fans waited to see if Paul could beat the odds. 

The bout, scheduled for eight rounds in the heavyweight class and aired globally on Netflix, was both a cultural and sporting spectacle, combining mainstream entertainment with athletic performance.

Early Rounds: Tactical, Frustrating, but Uneventful

The first several rounds moved at a steady pace, with Paul employing his movement and agility to avoid many of Joshua’s power shots. Joshua appeared rusty early on, as he made his first competitive boxing appearance since a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Paul took advantage of his underdog status, circled and clinched, upsetting Joshua and restricting the crisp exchanges that spectators wanted. 

Despite the relative quietness of the early rounds, Joshua’s bulk and power—he weighed substantially more than Paul—loomed huge. The Brit’s long reach and professional experience kept the pressure on, even if the opening few rounds lacked the fireworks that many had expected.

Turning Point: Fifth Round Mayhem

The fifth round was when the tide finally turned. Joshua began to impose himself more strongly, shutting off the ring and executing powerful combinations. Paul, who had survived the first few rounds primarily by movement and avoidance, was caught off guard by Joshua’s ferocity, resulting in several knockdowns. 

Joshua’s bodywork and straight punches began to have a noticeable effect on Paul’s endurance. Despite Paul’s tenacity and contentious tactics in stalling (a source of annoyance for both the fans and commentators), Joshua’s expertise began to shine through as he commanded the action with greater confidence.

The Sixth Round: Finish and Fallout

In the sixth stanza, Joshua’s unrelenting attack delivered the ultimate blow. A tremendous right hand, following a series of uppercuts and combinations, drove Paul to the mat hard. While Paul temporarily stood, the referee saw enough and stopped the fight at 1:31 in the sixth round, granting Joshua the TKO victory. 

The official result gave Joshua a decisive victory in a contest that many perceived as a mismatch from the start. It was Paul’s first professional stoppage loss, and it highlighted the tremendous difference between seasoned championship fighters and social media homegrown heroes.

In interviews afterward, Paul displayed characteristic bravado even in defeat — admitting the fight was tough, acknowledging Joshua’s skill, and indicating plans to return to cruiserweight with ambitions of eventually winning a world title. 

Reaction: Praise, Criticism, and Controversy

Fan and critic reactions were very mixed. Some praised Joshua for closing the show with authority and establishing his status as a credible heavyweight contender. Others, however, criticized the fight’s slow start and unexpected mismatch, claiming that Paul’s elusive approach turned what could have been a spectacular punch-for-punch duel into a methodical, lethargic affair that only erupted in the middle rounds. 

Commentary also addressed bigger issues, such as the role of celebrity boxing in modern sports, the legitimacy of crossover bouts, and if this event will result in more traditional boxers facing non-traditional opponents. On the plus side, there was fresh talk of Joshua facing out against fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury in 2026.

What It Means Going Forward

For Joshua, this win serves as a good statement victory and a rebound from previous failures. At 36, the former unified champion replied forcefully to critics. For Paul, the knockout loss, while harsh, does not necessarily signal the end of his boxing career, but it does highlight the level of competitiveness when entering the professional heavyweight ranks. 

This event demonstrated how boxing continues to grow, combining entertainment, mainstream streaming platforms, and high-stakes competitiveness. Whether you enjoyed it or despised it, Judgment Day in Miami will be remembered as one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year.