Anthony Joshua broke down and knocked out Jake Paul after six messy rounds in one of the strangest but biggest boxing matches in recent memory.
The American was sharp early on as he boxed on the back foot to leave ‘AJ’ swinging wildly and missing throughout the opening rounds. But after a breakthrough in the fifth, with a pair of knockdowns, Joshua punished Paul on the ropes and jabbed to the body before launching a big right hand.
AJ reacted with a cut-throat celebration in the ring to end one of the most chaotic episodes in recent boxing history, before calling out his British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury. “It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua admitted.
Paul, meanwhile, drove himself to the hospital and revealed he suffered a “double broken jaw”. The former YouTuber later revealed that he had undergone a successful surgery and said he has no plans to give up his boxing career.
Follow live reaction and analysis from Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua and undercard results, below
Disappointed in Anthony Joshua? Jake Paul is really to blame for boxing farce
Jake Paul drives himself to hospital with ‘double broken jaw’ after brutal Anthony Joshua defeat
Anthony Joshua sends Tyson Fury ultimatum after dispatching Jake Paul
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua purse: How much did each fighter get paid?
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua LIVE
- Joshua stopped YouTube star Paul in six rounds after scoring several knockdowns
- Former heavyweight champion struggled to pin down evasive Paul in early rounds
- Paul claimed to have suffered broken jaw after painful night in Miami
- American frequently dived at Joshua's legs, seemingly trying to buy time and avoid damage
- Joshua used post-fight interview to call out domestic rival Tyson Fury for all-British clash
Jake Paul reveals he has undergone successful surgery
15:54 , Jamie BraidwoodJake Paul has revealed he will be on a liquid diet for the next seven days after undergoing surgery on a “double broken jaw” following his defeat to Anthony Joshua.
Paul, though, said the surgery was successful, thanking doctors from the Miami University hospital.
Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth. Thanks for all the love. Lots of pain and stiffness. Gotta eat liquids for 7 days
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 20, 2025
S/o to the amazing team at Miami University hospital. Everyone was so gracious and caring. @ArmaniiJayy took amazing care of me with @iam_loriv
Anthony Joshua: 'I needed to do better'
14:55 , Jamie BraidwoodAn unhappy Anthony Joshua refused to call his way over Jake Paul a “success” and said he “needed to do better” against the American in what was his first fight in 15 months.
“I think my coach expects more from me, and I expect more for myself,” Joshua said.
“But what can we do? We can't reverse the clock. I have to move forward. I have to put that in the past now. After today, you may see a bit of social media trying to lap up all of the algorithm attention, but for me, it's in the past. I can't live off of that win.
“I've got a lot of improvement that I need to do, so yeah, I'm not happy.”
Disappointed in Anthony Joshua? Jake Paul is really to blame for boxing farce
14:25 , Alex PattleYes, ‘AJ’ was underwhelming by his own admission, but Paul’s approach to the fight is what should really leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Disappointed in Anthony Joshua? Sorry, you’ve got it completely wrong
Anthony Joshua sends Tyson Fury ultimatum after dispatching Jake Paul
13:55 , Alex PattleAnthony Joshua has demanded Tyson Fury to “talk with his fists” and face him in 2026 to settle their differences in a British super fight.
AJ dispatched Jake Paul in six rounds, overcoming a frustrating opening against his overmatched opponent.
“I had a 15 month layoff, we shook off the cobwebs. If Tyson is as serious as he thinks he is, if he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves, and come and fight in the ring, take a challenge, step in the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy, don’t give all that talking, AJ this, AJ that, let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
Anthony Joshua sends Tyson Fury ultimatum after dispatching Jake Paul
Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul after dropping YouTuber multiple times in controversial boxing match
13:25 , Alex PattleAnthony Joshua stopped Jake Paul in their boxing match on Friday, knocking down the YouTuber multiple times en route to a sixth-round win.
There was no debate about the legitimacy of this fight come round six, as Joshua scored a fourth and final knockdown, sending an exhausted Paul to his knees in the corner of the ring.
Paul, 28, had beaten the referee’s count on three previous occasions but could not this time, as he was counted out and beaten for the second time in his pro career. Meanwhile, Joshua bounced back from his stoppage defeat by Daniel Dubois in 2024 by securing victory in the Kaseya Center.
Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul after dropping YouTuber multiple times
Jake Paul congratulated by Donald Trump for showing 'courage'
12:55 , Jamie BraidwoodUS president Donald Trump congratulated Jake Paul on showing “great courage” against Anthony Joshua, claiming the fight was “fantastic entertainment”.
In a post on his Truth Social, published as Trump left a rally in North Carolina, the president said: “On the plane I just got to watch the Jake Paul fight, and he did really well, especially as a display of GREAT courage against a very talented and large Anthony Joshua. Fantastic entertainment, but kudos to Jake for his stamina, and frankly, ability, against a much bigger man!”
Anthony Joshua says he is 'hungry for more' after beating Jake Paul
11:55 , Jamie BraidwoodAnthony Joshua revealed he questioned himself and his boxing career after the defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 but says he is now “hungry for more” after ending his spell out of the ring.
“I wanted to fight. So the question I was asking myself, do I actually want to fight? The only way I'm going to find out is if I get in the ring and have a feel for it. So, getting in the ring today, I definitely want to fight, but I definitely want to get better as well.
“So, I'm hungry for more. I'm hungry to get back on that gravy chain and just continue everything that I kind of left behind in 2025. I had a a tough defeat in my last fight and I just want to pick up and move forward again.
“I'm glad that I got back in the ring and I figured out that this is where I want to be. It was a real test for me to figure out if I still want to continue or not. And this was a a good eye-opener to say this is where I want to be. I want to get back in the ring and go again.”
Anthony Joshua wants Tyson Fury next: 'Give him 24 hours!'
11:15 , Jamie BraidwoodAnthony Joshua said he would prefer to face Tyson Fury in his next fight rather than staging another warm-up bout in the interim.
“We can do that, by the way,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said during his fighter’s post-match press conference. “Straight away. No interim fights.
“If Tyson's ready and AJ's ready, we don't have to fight in February or March.”
“Give the doser eight weeks,” Joshua said, while mimicking Fury’s voice. “24 hours to sign a contract. Let's see if he's a man!”
Tony Bellew claims 'everyone won' from Joshua vs Paul
10:44 , Jamie BraidwoodFormer world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew claimed “everyone won” following Anthony Joshua’s knockout victory over Jake Paul and said boxing should celebrate the fact that a broken jaw was the worst of Paul’s injuries.
“The most important thing imo is he didn’t leave him permanently hurt!” Bellew said.
“I believe everyone won last night... Fair play to Jake Paul, he tried everything he could to survive! AJ does what he set out to do which is stop Jake Paul! Boxing is and always will be the ultimate 1v1 sport!”
The most important thing imo is he didn’t leave him permanently hurt! I believe everyone won last night.. Fair play to Jake Paul, He tried everything he could to survive! AJ does what he set out to do which is stop Jake Paul! Boxing is and always will be the ultimate 1v1 sport!👊
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) December 20, 2025
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua final punch stats revealed after Briton’s KO win
10:40 , Alex PattleCompubox’s statistics for the fight have listed Paul, 28, as having landed a meagre 16 punches from 56 thrown in the five-and-a-half completed rounds. Still, some viewers will have been impressed that Paul even managed to land that many.
Meanwhile, Joshua is credited with 48 successful punches from 154 thrown. That puts his percentage of success at 33 per cent, while Paul’s stands at 29 per cent.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua final punch stats revealed after Briton’s KO win
Anthony Joshua accused of ‘shameful’ performance against Joshua Paul to taint legacy
10:10 , Jack RathbornAnthony Joshua has come in for criticism over his performance against Jake Paul, having taken six rounds to stop the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, fought Paul in a professional heavyweight fight on Friday. That meant knockouts were allowed, with many fans craving an early KO defeat for Paul in Miami.
Anthony Joshua accused of ‘shameful’ performance against Joshua Paul to taint legacy
Joshua accused of enabling 'WWE' style fight with Paul
09:50 , Jack RathbornFormer NFL player and TV personality Shannon Sharpe said: “What are we watching? Is Joshua going to let his hands go? This looks more like WWE than a boxing match, but here I am watching.”
Laila Ali pinpoints where Anthony Joshua must improve
09:30 , Jack Rathborn“We wanted him to dominate, use the jab, set up the right hand,” Laila Ali told Netflix.
“He got there eventually. Jake was running around the ring, I'd like to see Joshua go back and work on cutting off the ring.
“The fans saw a fun fight, it played out how we thought anyway but wasn't in the first round.”
Anthony Joshua defends performance against Jake Paul: 'I tried my best'
09:18 , Jamie BraidwoodAnthony Joshua defended his performance against Jake Paul in his post-fight press conference, and said his beaten opponent had displayed a lot of “heart and spirit”.
“What I could have done better is a lot of things, 100 per cent. In the fight game, you've seen the amazing fighters that have graced us over the last 100 years and the expectations that we put on ourselves are immense.
“But I tried my best. Jake done well while it lasted. I wish that I could have knocked him out at the start, but as we as we saw tonight, Jake has spirit. He has some heart. He tried his best and I take my hat off to him because number one, a lot of fighters haven't got in the ring with me and Jake did.
“And secondly, even when he got knocked down, he kept on trying to get up and I take my heart off to him. So America, I think you have someone who could potentially, if he still has the heart for it, come back again, dust the dirt off his shoulder and come again and maybe sell out this arena sometime in 2026.
“Maybe against a Gervonta Davis, a Ryan Garcia, who knows?”
Who could Jake Paul face next?
09:00 , Jack RathbornJake Paul says he wants to fight men his own size and eventually win a cruiserweight world title.
Will the interest be there, though?
Jai Opetaia is widely considered the number one cruiserweight on the planet, he owns The Ring belt, and the IBF world title.
Gilberto Ramirez holds the WBO and WBA straps, while Noel Mikaelyn is the WBC champion.
Paul is ranked 15th by the WBA, and could continue down that route, their rankings are currently:
Champion: Gilberto Ramirez
1. TBA
2. Leonardo Mosquea
3. Lenar Perez
4. Aloys Youmbi
5. Mike Perez
6. Yuniel Dorticos
7. Alexey Egorov
8. Chris Billam-Smith
9. Aleksei Papin
10. Robin Sirwan Safar
11. Roman Fress
12. Giovanni Cristian Scuderi
13. Pat Brown
14. Liam Callanan
15. Jake Paul
Chris Eubank Jr lauds Jake Paul for Anthony Joshua performance
08:30 , Jack Rathborn“Regardless of the outcome Jake Paul got into the ring with an Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight world champion and tried his best until the very end. You have to give that man his respect now…
“He’s done what most would never & he didn’t give up. Well done Jake.
Jake Paul details major damage caused by Anthony Joshua in knockout loss
08:06 , Alex PattleJake Paul has revealed his injuries following his heavy defeat to former world champion Anthony Joshua.
Paul posted an X-ray of what appeared to be a double fracture, having claimed to have suffered a broken jaw in the ring while spitting out blood.
“Double broken jaw,” Paul said, adding in a previous post, “Jaw broken. Heart and balls in tact. Time to rest, recover and return to Cruiserweight.”
Jaw broken. Heart and balls in tact.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 20, 2025
Time to rest, recover and return to Cruiserweight.
Eddie Hearn outlines Anthony Joshua's plan for 2026
08:00 , Jack RathbornAnthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said: “We want the Tyson Fury fight. That's the biggest fight in boxing.
“Respect to Jake Paul, he did a great job. 2026, back to the real business. Tyson Fury and the world heavyweight championship."
Joshua's knockout shot against Paul in sixth round
07:30 , Jack RathbornThe moment Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out! #JakeJoshua pic.twitter.com/TiP0ovbpzf
— Netflix (@netflix) December 20, 2025
Was Paul's performance against Joshua credible?
07:00 , Jack RathbornJake Paul is getting respect from many for his efforts in the ring.
But others are irritated by his tendency to collapse and hug Joshua’s torso to avoid any legitimate interactions, former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has claimed Paul “wasted the fans’s time”.
Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua final punch stats revealed
06:40 , Jack RathbornJake Paul’s problem was the volume of shots he was sending back in Anthony Joshua’s direction.
AJ outlanded Paul 48-16, and three a lot more: 146-56.
Joshua’s connection rate was superior, too, with 33 percent connecting and 29 percent of Paul’s shots landing, according to Compubox.
Logan Paul taunts Anthony Joshua at ringside
06:20 , Jack RathbornLogan Paul was trash talking Anthony Joshua during the fight 😭
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 20, 2025
“You lost every single round! This could be a legacy ender, AJ.” pic.twitter.com/gdJqKHUFY5
Joshua sends Fury ultimatum after dispatching Paul
05:59 , Alex PattleHere’s what Joshua had to say about Tyson Fury after dispatching Paul, as the Briton turned his attention to a domestic clash that has been years in the making:
“If Tyson is as serious as he says he is, if he wants to put on some gloves, take a challenge...
“Don’t give all that talking, ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you talk with your fists.”
More here:
Anthony Joshua sends Tyson Fury ultimatum after dispatching Jake Paul
Jake Paul suffers broken jaw against Anthony Joshua in brutal knockout defeat
05:50 , Alex PattleJake Paul believes he suffered a broken jaw in his defeat by Anthony Joshua.
In an in-ring interview with journalist Ariel Helwani, after the fight, Paul spat out blood and said: “That was crazy, I had a blast, I’m blessed by God to put on a performance like this.
“Anthony is a great fighter, I got my arse beat. But I’ll come back and keep winning. I’ve already won in every single way in life, my family...
“My jaw is broken by the way, it’s definitely broke, nice little arse-whooping from one of the best to ever do it.”
More here:
Jake Paul details major damage caused by Anthony Joshua in knockout loss
Joshua delivers knockout to finish Paul in six rounds
05:40 , Jack Rathborn
Lennox Lewis criticises Jake Paul's conditioning
05:30 , Jack Rathborn“Paul was not in shape, especially for a big heavyweight like that,” Lewis says.
“He was just sitting there and waiting to get hit.”
Ward adds: “He beat you, but did you fight, he started late, and didn’t know what to do against the taller fighter. His conditioning, you don’t get that in training.
“He had some success early on. He made it interesting for a little while.”
Eddie Hearn outlines Anthony Joshua goals for 2026
05:21 , Jack Rathborn"We want the Tyson Fury fight,” Hearn says when asked what’s next for Joshua.
“Six rounds in the bank, 2026 back to business, Tyson Fury and then the world heavyweight championship."
Paul targets cruiserweight world title on return to boxing
05:15 , Jack Rathborn“That was crazy, I had a blast, I’m blessed by God to put on a performance like this. Anthony is a great fighter, I got my arse beat. But I’ll come back and keep winning,” Paul says.
“I’ve already won in every single way in life, my family, my jaw is broken by the way, it’s definitely broke, nice little arse whooping from one of the best to ever do it.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised, I just got tired, so much handling his weight, I think with better cardio, I could’ve kept fighting. I did my personal best.
“Oh, for sure, we’ll heel the broken jaw, go back, fight people my own weight and go for the cruiserweight world title.”
Joshua denies getting hurt by Paul
05:07 , Jack Rathborn"I see Eddie saying, 'get him now!' I said I'd take his soul, see it leaving his body round after round. I said it, and it happened.
“I understand the psychology of fighting, 15 months out of the ring.
“I refuse to get hurt, acknowledge getting hurt. This is boxing, I’ll get hit, but when I do, I’ll counter punch.
“There was no hurt in there, I hit them, they hit me, but Jake, well done!
“I don’t care about legacy, it lasts about 50 years, then it’s done. This is what I decided to do. I will do it until I can’t no more. All we can do is give my best.”
Joshua calls out Fury after knocking out Paul
05:05 , Jack Rathborn“I appreciate everyone in this venue,” Joshua says. “It wasn’t the best performance, the end goal was to get Paul, pin him down and hurt him.
“that was on my mind, it took longer than expected. Now, Jake Paul has done really well tonight. He got up, time and time again.
“It was difficult for me in there. We give them their respect, he tried and tried, but he came up against a real fighter in there. 15 month layoff, if Tyson is as serious as he is, if he wants to put on some gloves, take a challenge, don’t give all that talking, AJ this, AJ that, let’s see you talk with your fists.”
Joshua hails Paul after victory in chaotic heavyweight contest
05:03 , Jack RathbornJoshua and Logan Paul getting into it inside the ring.
AJ lifts Jake Paul’s arm after the American raised his arm. He closed the sixth by landing 62 percent of his power shots, too.
Joshua knocks out Paul in sixth round after chaotic exchange
04:57 , Jack RathbornRound 6
Paul has a problem with his right leg. Down he goes again!
It’s all Joshua, three knockdowns now, this is wild. He’s tired, but brave. An uppercut from hell there, Paul sticks out a tongue. He then crouches and takes another booming shot, he’s down for a fourth time and AJ stops him, it’s over!
Joshua finally connects with Paul and forces knockdowns
04:53 , Jack RathbornRound 5
Joshua lands, finally, an uppercut, Paul took it, then tumbles back and eventually takes a knee, but no knockdown.
Paul tosses out a jab, this is finally a fight, AJ licks his lips and rolls the gloves in a circular motion. Paul now bouncing off the ropes, and eventually tumbles, this time it is a knockdown. He rises.
A second knockdown, up at eight, will he survive? Just 40 seconds, he looks in real trouble, a big right now lands from AJ. It’s a chaotic end to the round, punches bouncing off the torso of Paul, but he survives, mayhem.
Joshua still frustrated by negative Paul
04:48 , Jack RathbornRound 4
More boos! This one is not fan-friendly, but Paul won’t care.
Paul lands with a jab, Joshua regroups, now the American rips a shot to the body.
Joshua with 69 thrown and 14 landed, Paul just 28 thrown and 10 connecting.
Paul tumbles again and the referee has had enough, AJ is furious too. Left hook by Paul, he slips again, Joshua is forced away by the referee. Now both men get a talking to.
Joshua frustrated as Paul uses movement to evade Briton's assaults
04:44 , Jack RathbornRound 3
Joshua thumping the Paul body, as both men tie up. Joshua has thrown 47 punches through two rounds, but landed four punches only. Paul has thrown 19 and landed eight.
Paul isn’t doing much, but he’s staying out of danger. The misses are wild, and in round three he’s thrown 22 and landed six, Paul just five shots launched and three landing.
Joshua hurries to reverse momentum against Paul
04:39 , Jack RathbornRound 2
Joshua rushes out to reverse the early Paul momentum, storming towards the American. A big swing! This is a dangerous contest.
Paul throwing an up jab, on the move, it’s not going to hurt AJ, but it’s a nuisance. This is a problem for AJ, he’s struggling to pin down the smaller man.
Now some booing from the fans, Joshua unable to land any significant punches through two rounds! It wasn’t like Paul was too effective, either, but AJ is at risk of being two down here. It’s only an eight-round fight, of course.
Round 1
Here we go... The tension is incredible, was Paul delusional? Let’s find out!
A jab from AJ early, Paul circling on the outside of this enormous ring.
Paul swipes low to the body, misses, Joshua circling his lead left, Paul lunging in again. An uppercut! Now both men tie up, Joshua forces Paul to the canvas as they wrestle.
Double jab Paul! He’s landed the only shots so far with 40 seconds remaining. right hand by Joshua! Paul with his hands dropping, it’s a risky tactic, but the brave approach has surprised AJ. It’s a Paul round.
Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua set to begin
04:30 , Jack RathbornBoth men in the ring now and are about to be announced.
AJ strutting around and appears cool. The pressure will be immense internally though, the cost of the rumoured $50m purse.
Jake Paul brings out 6ix9ine for ring walk
04:28 , Jack RathbornJoshua in the ring with minimal fuss. Now Paul, initially to Rick Derringer’s Real American, Hulk Hogan’s famous walk out tune.
Paul is donning the colours of the Hulkster and rapper 6ix9ine joins the American on his way to the ring.
Ring walks for Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua finally here after national anthems
04:24 , Jack RathbornTwo national anthems done, it’s time for the ring walks...
The Kaseya Center is ready, the main event is here, this should be fascinating.
The unknown, the mystery, the controversy, we get clarity in the next few minutes.
Andre Ward and Lennox Lewis make final calls on Paul v Joshua
04:18 , Jack Rathborn"Yes [his career is on the line],” Lennox Lewis says. “He's got to get rid of Jake Paul, there's something about Jake Paul that makes him feel positive, but when he gets in the ring and feels a heavyweight punch, he'll be on his bike."
While Andre Ward adds: "What's supposed to happen is complete domination, the hand closest to Jake Paul, make him feel the power jab, then you come with the big right hand and send a message that I'm an elite fighter and you're not."
Is Paul vs Joshua a 'scripted' fight?
04:14 , Alex PattleFans continue to express suspicion, despite the fact that Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) recently threatened legal action against those who have accused him of rigging his fights.
This month, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn addressed the matter, saying: “Firstly, it’s illegal to have a script when there’s a professional, sanctioned contest; two, we would never be involved in an exhibition fight. Do you think I would sign up to something that might make AJ look bad or go [for multiple] rounds?
“No, we wanna go in there, do a job for boxing, which is what we should be doing, which is ironing this guy out ASAP.
“If [Paul] shows any signs of confidence in this fight, or any signs of aggressiveness, he’s gonna get ironed out as soon as he makes a move [...] We couldn’t be taking it more seriously.”
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua set for ring walks
04:12 , Jack Rathborn“Joshua has to try and force the action, Jake will run around the ring and every inche of this 22-by-22-feet ring,” says David Haye.
The wait is almost over, the fighters are waiting to be called. Jake Paul looks relaxed, though his brother Logan is looking on ominously, perhaps nervous for the huge challenge ahead...
What are the rules for Joshua vs Paul?
04:09 , Alex PattleThis will be a professional heavyweight fight, not an exhibition, meaning the result will go on each man’s record and a knockout is possible.
It will be scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, and each man will wear standard 10oz gloves.
Joshua was not allowed to tip the scales at more than 245lb at yesterday’s weigh-in, and he came in at 243.4lb (110.4kg). Meanwhile, Paul was 216.4lb (98.1kg).
Furthermore, the ring is 22-by-22-foot, bigger than the 20-by-20 to which AJ is most accustomed.
Rory McIlroy attends Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua after winning SPOTY 2025
04:05 , Jack Rathborn"I commend Jake for taking this fight, very brave,” McIlroy says. “But I can't see past AJ, the reach advantage, the height advantage, the experience, I'm a big fight fan, but I don't fancy any other result than an early win for Joshua."
Will boxing fans ever accept Jake Paul?
04:04 , Alex PattleWhy do you hate Jake Paul?
If you rack your brain, does a legitimate answer rattle around? Feel free to pause for thought before opening the article linked below – no one is in a rush here; Paul, like it or not, isn’t going anywhere.
And the questions above are not meant to be condescending, honestly. We’re going to try to get to the bottom of this by the time you reach the bottom of this article:
The difficult Jake Paul question that Anthony Joshua fight will finally answer
The inside story of the strangest fight ever
04:00 , Alex PattleOn Tuesday 11 November, upstairs in the glassy confines of The Pelligon – an event space in Canary Wharf, London – Joshua’s promoter made a curious statement to The Independent and other members of the media.
“We will make a decision this week on Anthony’s next fight,” Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom boss, began, addressing the huddle of reporters. That, of course, was not the curious part. “If he fights this year, you probably won’t even hear about it. We would literally rock up on fight week.
“The whole point is to not have to come and do [media] – just chill out, turn up on the Wednesday or Thursday, weigh in, wrap your hands, and go and fight.” That was fascinating, but still not the point in question.
The key words were these: “Unless it’s Jake Paul.”
Read our special report on how Paul vs Joshua was made, featuring interviews with Hearn and Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian:
How Paul and Joshua’s private talk helped make the weirdest fight ever
Jake with Paul vs Anthony Joshua up next
03:56 , Alex PattleOne more fight tonight, and it’s one of the biggest but most bizarre in recent years... maybe in history.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will take on Anthony Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, in a professional contest.
It’s MOMENTS away. Don’t go anywhere.
Alycia Baumgardner retains titles with Paul vs Joshua up next
03:51 , Alex PattleAlycia Baumgardner def. Leila Beaudoin via unanimous decision (117-110, 117-110, 118-109)
And still! Baumgardner retains her unified super-featherweight titles comfortably.
She calls out Caroline Dubois, who won on tonight’s undercard
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:46 , Alex PattleRound 12
Final round, as the women emulate the men in this unified-title fight.
A chaotic start to the round, and chaos is what Beaudoin needs, but she might be too tired; after that frantic moment, the pace drastically shows – and the activity dips.
Good composure from Baumgardner, who unfurls a trio of hooks to the body at close range.
The final bell sounds!
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:43 , Alex PattleRound 11
Baumgardner with another crisp right, then some wearing body work in the clinch.
Beaudoin with her own body shots in the clinch, before the fighters are separated.
Long right hook to the body by Baumgardner, who then eats a pair of right hands to the head!
She’s freezing slightly!! Forty seconds left in the round, and Baumgardner is holding on to slow down her challenger... She’s fazed here...
The holding works, and Baumgardner gets behind her jab well in the final seconds.
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:38 , Alex PattleRound 10
Beaudoin comes forward and flings a right cross to the body. She tries a cross to the head, but Baumgardner turns well with the punch, and it only grazes her.
Heavy clinching ensues, before they separate and Beaudoin leans off the centre line for a left hook to the body.
Baumgardner’s retort is neat, however. As David Haye says on commentary: “She has an answer for everything.”
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:26 , Alex PattleRound seven
Baumgardner continues to deal gradual damage, and with one second left in the round, she drops Beaudoin with a counter right hook!
Beaudoin beats the count, but she’s bloodied and looks dispirited to be honest...
Oscar De La Hoya details why Anthony Joshua is at risk of 'lights out' knockout
03:22 , Jack Rathborn"Let me tell you why Jake Paul is going to beat Anthony Joshua,” Oscar De La Hoya explains.
“Styles make fights, Jake Paul is a smaller guy, he's the thicker guy, the heavier guy, he fights six, eight rounds, he's used to throwing punches in bunches, and not tiring out. He's used to the pace, a fast pace every single round.
“That's going to be a lot of trouble for Joshua. Joshua struggles with smaller guys. Think about Ruiz and other guys, he has trouble punching down. So I believe that overhand right hand, if Joshua doesn't have his left hand up up, he's getting lights out, knocked out. Guaranteed."
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:16 , Alex PattleRound five
Again Beaudoin steps in with a slow hook and overshoots it. She lands a nice jab in the next exchange, though, as Baumgardner steps right onto it.
The boxers clinch and they’re given a chance to fight in there, before they’re eventually separated.
Beaudoin’s face is really weathered. She has small cuts under both eyes, and her face is red and swollen.
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
03:11 , Alex PattleRound four
Baumgardner is the much-faster fighter in there. She’s setting things up nicely with her jab.
She feints slowly to try to draw in Beaudoin.
Not much landing right now, for either fighter. Beaudoin hits the canvas, but she was thrown – not knocked down.
Beaudoin lands a right hook to the belt line then overshoots with a pair of hooks to the head. Slow shots.
Baumgardner is in control as we near the midway point.
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
02:59 , Alex PattleRound one
Both women stand orthodox. Beaudoin with lots of level-change feints early on.
Sporadic jabs by both fighters so far, but little in the way of heavier offence.
Oh! And as I write that, Baumgardner times a nice right cross on a ducking Beaudoin, before following up with a left hook and another right.
Baumgardner with some educated pressure now. She’s coming forward and feinting, drawing twitches out of her challenger.
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have hands wrapped for heavyweight fight
02:58 , Jack Rathborn
Co-main event: Alycia Baumgardner stars against Leila Beaudoin
02:41 , Alex PattleOne more fight before the main event...
Alycia Baumgardner defends her IBF and WBO super-featherweight titles against Leila Beaudoin.
This bout is scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds, which is very rare in women’s boxing, where 10 two-minute rounds are more common in title fights.
Paul’s promotional company, MVP, has helped certain women’s boxers to compete across the same number of rounds and length of rounds as the men, though – and that’s the case here.
Anderson Silva stops Tyron Woodley!
02:28 , Alex PattleSilva: “I have young kids to push me hard every day, and a great team in Brazil, and my amazing coach[es] here.
“To continue doing something I love, bro, this is amazing.
“I just tried to take my time, my distance. I’m just lucky – but lucky is the people training hard.”
Silva referenced kids, there; one of his sons was a sparring partner for this bout!
Silva says he wants to train to become a police officer in LA... don’t put anything past him!
He reiterates that he’ll keep fighting, anyway, though.
Anderson Silva stops Tyron Woodley!
02:21 , Alex PattleRound two
Silva comes forward, cornering Woodley in this especially large ring.
He largely fights behind the jab for a while but then lands a big rear uppercut, and Woodley goes down!!
He almost manages to stay up by leaning on Silva, but eventually he falls onto his knees...
Woodley beats the referee’s count, but the official sees something he doesn’t like while talking to the American... and waves off the bout!
Woodley is protesting somewhat, while Silva is on his knees in celebration.
It appears Woodley’s corner might have motioned to the ref to stop the fight.
