On December 19, 2025, a highly anticipated boxing spectacle unfolded at the Kaseya Center in Miami, bringing together two vastly different figures in the sport: former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and social-media star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul. The bout, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds under professional rules, attracted global attention and was streamed internationally.

The opening rounds were tense and measured, with Paul attempting to establish himself against an opponent whose career included championship reigns and elite-level competition. Joshua remained patient, using his experience, reach, and timing to control distance while absorbing the early exchanges. As the fight progressed, the contrast in pedigree became increasingly evident.

By the middle rounds, Joshua began asserting dominance. His punches carried greater weight and precision, gradually breaking through Paul’s defense. The pace intensified in the fifth round, setting the stage for a decisive shift in momentum as Joshua’s pressure mounted and Paul was forced onto the back foot.

The end came in the sixth round, when Joshua unleashed a powerful combination that sent Paul to the canvas. Although Paul rose, further heavy blows followed, resulting in additional knockdowns. The referee halted the contest one minute and 31 seconds into the round, awarding Joshua a knockout victory. The stoppage marked the first time Paul had been knocked out in his professional career.

The fight underscored Joshua’s standing as an elite heavyweight capable of dispatching opponents with authority, while serving as a stark test of Paul’s ambitions in professional boxing. The event drew widespread attention, blending mainstream sports interest with entertainment spectacle, and left both fighters facing sharply different paths forward—Joshua toward future