Nigerian-British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua has defeated American boxer Jake Paul in a bout held in Miami, United States on Saturday night.
The fight, set for eight rounds of three minutes each, ended in the sixth when Joshua landed a thunderous right hand that sent Paul crashing to the canvas for the fourth time. The knockout sealed Joshua’s 26th stoppage victory in his professional career.
Although the contest was shorter than a standard heavyweight bout, Paul, a 28-year-old social media personality turned boxer, surprised many by lasting beyond the early rounds. He showed grit and determination but found it difficult to cope with Joshua’s strength and ring experience.
Joshua tightened his grip on the contest in the fifth round, flooring Paul twice and leaving little doubt about the outcome. The end came in the following round after a sustained assault that forced the referee to halt the fights
Reacting after the win, Joshua admitted he had hoped to finish earlier but was satisfied with the outcome. “It wasn’t the best performance. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination,” he said.
He also commended Paul for his toughness. “Jake did well tonight. He got up time and time again. It takes a man to keep trying in there, and he deserves respect for that,” Joshua added
The victory marked Joshua’s return to the ring after a 15-month absence, and he said it had boosted his confidence for tougher challenges ahead. He went on to call out fellow heavyweight Tyson Fury, insisting the division needed a major showdown.
Paul, who later disclosed that he suffered a broken jaw during the bout, avoided discussing future plans. The defeat was the second of his professional career, and he said he would take time off to recover before deciding his next move.