August M
Anthony Joshua brought a high-profile crossover boxing event to a decisive end in Miami, knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round after a contest that drew global attention well beyond the sport’s usual audience.
The bout, staged at the Kaseya Center, paired a former heavyweight champion with a social media star turned boxer, making it one of the most commercially significant fights of the year.
Big-stage bout
According to Sky Sports, the fight was scheduled for eight rounds and billed as a test of how far Paul’s boxing experiment could stretch against an elite-level opponent.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, entered the ring after a lengthy absence following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Paul arrived with trademark showmanship, while Joshua kept a low profile before the opening bell.
Early resistance
The opening half of the fight unfolded without drama many had predicted. Paul survived the early rounds by staying mobile and avoiding sustained exchanges, while Joshua struggled to find clean openings.
Rather than dominating immediately, Joshua spent long spells probing and resetting, with Paul occasionally landing single shots that kept the contest competitive.
The uneven rhythm appeared to frustrate Joshua, who later acknowledged the performance did not meet his own standards.
Pressure tells
By the fifth round, the dynamic shifted. Joshua’s pressure began to wear Paul down, culminating in a knockdown after a sustained combination.
Paul beat the count but was visibly unsteady, absorbing further punishment before the bell.
Moments into the sixth round, Joshua closed the distance again and delivered a decisive right hand that sent Paul to the canvas near the ropes, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Wider impact
Beyond the result, the fight highlighted boxing’s growing crossover appeal, blending elite competition with influencer-driven audiences and delivering a major broadcast draw.
Sources: Sky Sports
