Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua marked his return to the ring with a victory, but it was a far from convincing performance as he needed six rounds to stop YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul.
A Frustrating Start in Miami
Fighting for the first time in 15 months, Joshua looked laboured and struggled to find his rhythm against an opponent whose primary tactic was evasion. The bout, which took place at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday 20 December 2025, failed to ignite in the early stages.
Paul, the underdog, moved constantly around the ropes, making it difficult for Joshua to land cleanly. The 36-year-old Brit, whose last fight was a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, appeared frustrated as the crowd grew restless. The mood was not improved when Paul hit the canvas multiple times in a bizarre fourth round, prompting referee Christopher Young to admonish both fighters, telling them "the fans didn't pay to see this crap."
Class Eventually Tells
The tide finally turned in the fifth round. Joshua began to connect with more authority, a powerful left hand forcing the first standing count of the fight. A swift right-left combination just thirty seconds later sent Paul stumbling again, earning him another count from the referee.
To his credit, Paul showed significant heart to survive the round and hear the bell. However, his resistance was finally broken in the sixth. Joshua unleashed a sustained barrage of punches that left Paul crumpled in a corner, prompting the referee to wave off the contest and award Joshua the knockout win.
Questions Remain After Laboured Win
While the result was never truly in doubt, the manner of the victory did little to silence doubts about Joshua's ability to reclaim a place at the sport's summit. The performance was sluggish and lacked the explosive power that once defined his career.
The win comes amid reports that Joshua is close to agreeing a blockbuster fight against Tyson Fury, potentially in Riyadh in 2026. This laboured display against a limited, if game, opponent like Jake Paul will do little to convince observers that he is ready for such a formidable challenge. The path back to the top looks longer than ever for the former champion.
