Anthony Joshua put on an impressive show against Jake Paul in their heavyweight boxing match on Friday night. He dropped his opponent four times on route to a sixth round TKO victory. That fight was held at the O2 Arena in London. It was Joshua’s most emphatic return to the ring after a 15-month absence and set up a huge, mega-fight with Tyson Fury lurking just up the road.
Though Joshua’s victory was a triumph of boxing skill and artistry, he was hard on himself in the performance. Despite his success, at least on his terms, he stressed that it was not enough. It wasn’t the most spectacular performance,” he shrugged honestly after the fight. The ex two-time world champion hailed Paul’s remarkable toughness in the bout. Though it was knocked down time and time again, the social media star continued to rise from the ashes as it was repeatedly defeated.
“Jake Paul, he’s done really well tonight. 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,” – Anthony Joshua
Joshua further lamented his long absence from the ring, which he claimed affected his performance. He just ran into a tough guy tonight that’s had a 15-month layoff. We shook off the cobwebs, and I look forward to rolling into 2026,” he said.
The battle played out with Joshua showing his experience and boxing technique, eventually stopping Paul and bringing home the victory. In the immediate aftermath of the bout – within seconds, mind you – Joshua didn’t hold back in calling out Fury, challenging him to meet him in the ring. “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, step into the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy,” he declared.
Joshua’s remarks were a clear indication that he views a top-down hierarchy in the sport. He made no secret of his wish to be tested in the coming days, to prove his worth amongst boxing’s finest. “The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him,” Joshua explained, indicating that he achieved his aim but recognized areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul, who suffered a broken jaw during the fight, praised Joshua’s performance while reflecting on his own experience in the ring. “I love this sport. I gave it my all. It’s fucking crazy. I had a blast. Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my ass beat, but that’s what this sport’s about,” Paul said.
“What Paul proved beyond a doubt—if there was any doubt—was his determination to rebound from adversity and return to the sport.”I think my jaw is broken, by the way. It’s definitely broke. A nice little ass-whipping from one of the best to ever do it. I love this shit and I’m going to come back and keep on winning,” he added.
The bout not only served as Joshua’s return but as an important moment for Paul, who faced one of boxing’s prominent figures for the first time in his career. This fight is one of the biggest showdowns ever! It would create pathways for more lucrative opportunities down the line for both fighters.