YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul has given a groggy and graphic account of the injuries he sustained during his punishing defeat to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua last week.
The Painful Aftermath of a Heavyweight Clash
Appearing with difficulty on his brother Logan's 'Impaulsive' podcast, a recording made the day after the fight and released on Tuesday, Paul described the sensation of his broken jaw. He said it felt as if there was "a baseball" inside it, following the surgical procedure required to fix the damage.
The social media influencer, who was stopped in the sixth round of the bout in Miami last Friday, confirmed the severity of the injury. His jaw was broken in two places, necessitating an operation where surgeons inserted four titanium plates to stabilise the bone. Paul had previously informed fans that he also lost some teeth as a result of the surgery.
A 'Nice' Shot and Regrets Over Preparation
Reflecting on the moment the fight ended, Paul recounted Joshua's decisive right hook. "I was like 'wow, that was nice'," he admitted. "I was on the ground like 'that was a good shot'. He surprised my jaw." With characteristic bluntness, he added, "I mean, it's not that hard to get your ass beat."
Paul believes he was performing well but cited specific factors that contributed to his loss. He pointed to the mental pressure of facing a bigger opponent and the different impact of sparring with 10-ounce gloves. However, he expressed significant regret over his pre-fight preparation, identifying one major oversight.
"I should have gone to altitude training," Paul stated. "I wish I had more than three weeks, I think, to prepare. To put on more muscle. I should have gone to altitude training, that was my biggest mistake. I just needed to have that extra level of cardio for this and that can only come from altitude."
Struggling to Speak in Candid Podcast Moment
The physical toll of the injury was starkly evident during the podcast interview itself. At one point, Paul had to pause, painfully stating, "I can't really f***ing talk." Despite the obvious discomfort and the severity of the setback, he framed the experience as a valuable learning opportunity, calling it a "great experience" where he "learnt a lot."
The fight in Miami marked a significant step up in competition for Paul, facing a former unified world champion in Anthony Joshua. The result and its painful consequences have provided a stark reminder of the brutal realities of elite-level boxing.
