YouTube star suffers damaged jaw in $278m Netflix battle shambles
Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul within the sixth spherical of their mega cash heavyweight battle on Friday evening.
The 2-time heavyweight champion displayed why he is without doubt one of the sport’s elite punchers when he dropped the fading Paul twice within the fifth spherical.
The Netflix-backed spectacle noticed the fighters break up a $184 million ($A278m) purse.
Sensing the YouTube star was completed, Joshua rocked him with a proper uppercut early within the sixth. The Englishman then floored Paul with a mixture to the pinnacle.
Though Paul (12-2) reached his ft once more, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) lastly crushed Paul’s upset dream when he dropped him a fourth time with a proper to the pinnacle. Referee Christopher Younger counted Paul out at 1:31 of the spherical in entrance of a capability crowd of 19,600 on the Kaseya Heart.
With the victory, Joshua now can angle to reclaim the heavyweight title he misplaced towards Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua additionally has talked a couple of lengthy mentioned match with countryman and former champion, Tyson Fury. Nevertheless, Fury is at present retired following consecutive losses to Usyk in 2024.
It was Joshua’s first bout since Daniel Dubois knocked him out in 5 rounds in Sept. 2024.
The battle was anticipated to be a short one, and Paul spoiled the affair purchase falling to his knees a number of occasions, grabbing maintain of his opponent.
After a telling off by the referee, Netflix commentator Mauro Ranallo raged: “The followers didn’t pay to see crap”.
Afterwards, Joshua praised Paul’s manliness, whereas the American, blood coursing from his over-active gob, stated: “I feel my jaw is damaged.
“It’s undoubtedly broke. However man, that was good. A pleasant little ass-whooping, however I’m among the finest to ever do it.
“So, I like this shit. I’m gonna come again and get a world championship belt sooner or later.”
Joshua stated: “It wasn’t the very best efficiency, the top aim was to get Jake Paul pinned down and damage him.
“It took a bit longer than anticipated, however the best hand discovered the vacation spot. Now, Jake Paul, he’s achieved very well tonight. I need to give him his props.
“He acquired up time and time once more. It was tough getting there for him. However he stored on attempting.
“It takes an actual man to try this. We’ve got to present Jake his respect for attempting and attempting and attempting. Nicely achieved. However he got here up towards an actual fighter tonight, that’s had a 15-month lay-off.
“We shook off the cobweb, and I can’t wait to roll into 2026.
“And if Tyson Fury is as severe as he feels he’s, and he desires to place down his Twitter fingers and placed on some gloves, I’m coming for you.”
It’s been broadly speculated that Joshua and Fury are going to face off subsequent 12 months.
Joshua methodically established tempo towards Paul from the opening spherical as neither fighter engaged early. Halfway by the spherical, Paul threw an overhand proper that Joshua blocked together with his glove. Within the closing seconds, Joshua scored with a proper to the pinnacle close to the ropes.
Within the second, Joshua started utilising his 6-inch attain benefit by main with a left jab.
Paul scored with a brief proper to the pinnacle early within the fourth. Later within the spherical, Paul twice fell to the canvas awkwardly as he once more tried to chop distance throughout shut exchanges
The 28-year-old Paul, who started his profession in Jan. 2020, initially had focused an exhibition in Miami with light-weight champion Gervonta Davis final month. However Davis encountered authorized issues that scrapped the occasion. Paul shortly pivoted and landed the bout towards Joshua in the identical venue.
