Anthony Joshua restored boxing order with a sixth-round stoppage of Jake Paul in Miami. The bout unfolded as spectacle first, sport second. Ultimately, Joshua’s elite power and experience decided everything.
From the opening bell, Paul adopted survival tactics. He circled constantly and avoided exchanges. As a result, Joshua stalked patiently, missing often but controlling space.
The British heavyweight appeared increasingly irritated by Paul’s refusal to engage. Nevertheless, he stayed composed and resisted reckless pressure. Each round tightened the sense of inevitability.
Paul’s movement earned scattered applause and louder boos. However, time itself became Joshua’s ally as the mismatch grew clearer with every evasive step. Joshua finally found rhythm late in the fifth round. A heavy right dropped Paul for the first time, then moments later, another knockdown confirmed the shift. Paul rose bravely but obviously looked shaken with his bravado masked behind fatigue and damage.
When power finally cuts through the theatre
The sixth round delivered the finish many expected earlier. A clean, straight right landed flush and ended proceedings. Paul failed the count as the arena exhaled.
Relief followed as Paul stood unaided while the medical staff remained alert but unnecessary. The surreal contest closed without catastrophe.
Joshua admitted afterward the performance lacked sharpness. Just as he had stated pre-match, patience was always the plan and eventually, the punch found its target.
Joshua’s record improved to 29 wins from 33 fights but more importantly, he escaped unscathed. After the bout, he wasted little time calling out Tyson Fury and the long-discussed clash resurfaced immediately.
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Paul, meanwhile, fell short of promised history. He landed occasional shots but never threatened seriously and the sixth-round duration reflected more on Joshua than Paul.
Once fighting began, theatre dominated early action and it was Joshua that swung heavy shots that missed narrowly. Of course, trust Paul to respond with gestures and tongue-out antics. Every minute survived felt symbolic for Paul. His prior bout with an ageing Mike Tyson lingered in memory.
After the knockout: Money, questions, and what comes next
The fifth round marked the turning point decisively. A brushing right sent Paul crashing down and shortly after, another combination followed.
Calls for intervention grew in the sixth as Joshua’s history against Francis Ngannou came to mind. Mind you, this contest never aimed to test Joshua’s peak ability. Instead, it chased attention, revenue, and global curiosity. In that sense, it succeeded.
More than 300 million Netflix subscribers watched worldwide. Celebrities filled ringside seats. The event blurred sport and entertainment. Joshua reportedly earned an extraordinary purse. Financially, the night was historic, although competitively, it raised uncomfortable questions.
Paul admitted he “got beat up” afterward. Still, he promised a return as his ambition now targets cruiserweight gold.
Joshua leaves Miami with momentum intact. Paul leaves exposed but unbowed.
Tags: Anthony Joshua, AJ, Jake Paul, Miami bout.
