Anthony Joshua secured a decisive victory over Jake Paul in Miami, but the highly-anticipated bout was overshadowed by controversy and widespread criticism of the American's tactics.
Referee's Fury Halts Negative Tactics
The fight at the Kaseya Center saw a dominant performance from the former two-time heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua. However, the contest was frequently interrupted by Jake Paul's unconventional and defensive approach. Paul spent much of the match evading engagement, circling the enlarged ring and, when in close, opting to clinch and wrestle Joshua rather than throw punches.
This strategy drew loud boos from the frustrated crowd and visibly annoyed Joshua himself. The spectacle reached a tipping point in the fourth round, prompting referee Chris Young to take decisive action.
"The Fans Didn't Pay to See This"
Gathering both fighters together, referee Chris Young delivered a stern rebuke that was captured by ringside microphones. "Both of you come here," Young said. "Listen, it's got to stop. The fans didn't pay to see this c***. If you're going to fight, you're going to fight but fight within the rules."
Young's intervention highlighted the disappointing nature of the contest for the paying audience, who had expected a more competitive and engaging boxing match.
Joshua's Power Ends the Contest
Despite the warning, the pattern continued until Joshua's superior power and skill conclusively ended the fight. Two rounds after the referee's lecture, in the sixth round, Joshua recorded a knockout victory. The defeat left Jake Paul with a significant injury, which he later confirmed was a double broken jaw.
In the aftermath, Paul announced he would be taking a break from the sport. "I'm going to take a little break. I've been going hard for six years," he stated, while also setting his sights on a future cruiserweight world title shot. He paid respect to his opponent, saying, "Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, I got beat but that's what this sport is about."
The event, while delivering a clear result, ultimately served as a reminder of the clash between traditional boxing values and the spectacle-driven nature of influencer-led events, leaving many to question the direction of such high-profile crossover fights.
