Jake Paul knocked out cold by Anthony Joshua in devastating sixth-round finish, first KO loss of his boxing career

Jake Paul suffered his first knockout loss after Anthony Joshua delivered a devastating sixth-round finish on Netflix last night. The former heavyweight world champion proved his boxing dominance wasn’t finished, landing a brutal straight right hand that sent Paul to the canvas at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Joshua Hunts Down Elusive Paul in Dominant Performance

Anthony Joshua finally caught up with Jake Paul after five rounds of evasion. The YouTube star has built his reputation running from opponents, but against the former undisputed heavyweight champion, there was nowhere left to hide. Joshua trapped Paul in the corner during the sixth round and unleashed a brutal combination, with a powerful straight right finishing the fight decisively.

Paul entered the bout confident, coming off a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his previous fight. The YouTuber-turned-boxer had promised the biggest upset in sports history, but Joshua’s experience and ring craft proved too much. The 28-4 professional boxer demonstrated why he was once an undisputed heavyweight champion by methodically breaking down his younger opponent.

Multiple Knockdowns Set Stage for Devastating Finish

Paul hit the canvas multiple times before the final knockout blow. Joshua knocked him down four times throughout the bout, with the fifth round proving particularly brutal for the Netflix fighter. Each knockdown intensified the pressure, and by the sixth round, Paul was visibly gassed and struggling to defend himself effectively.

This wasn’t a lucky punch that caught Paul off-guard. Joshua systematically dismantled his opponent over six rounds, establishing dominance in the ring. The straight right hand that ended it was the culmination of patient, intelligent boxing from the former champion. Medical evaluations confirmed what was evident: Paul could not continue.

Paul’s Undefeated Knockout Record Ends in Brutal Fashion

The knockout loss marks a seismic moment in Jake Paul’s boxing career. Before last night, his only defeat came via split decision to Tommy Fury in February 2023, but he had never been knocked out. The fact that he was knocked down four times and couldn’t weather the storm speaks volumes about the skill gap between an aspiring YouTube boxer and a true heavyweight professional with championship experience.

Joshua’s dominance was never in question as the fight progressed. While the narrative going into the bout focused on Paul’s hype and confidence, Joshua’s experience controlling the ring and finding his range eventually came through. The straight right hand that ended it was precise, powerful, and perfectly timed. Paul’s corner had to throw in the towel as their fighter remained face-down on the canvas.

What Happens Next for Both Warriors?

Anthony Joshua bounced back spectacularly after his brutal knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. That defeat raised serious questions about whether the former champion could compete at the highest levels again, but his clinical performance against Paul answers those questions decisively. Joshua can now command significant fights and rebuild his legacy with a statement victory on his record.

Jake Paul’s path forward remains uncertain. His promoters and team will undoubtedly analyze what went wrong. Paul has built a brand on entertainment and hype, but against a legitimate heavyweight professional, his boxing limitations became apparent. The first knockout loss will change the narrative around the YouTube star’s boxing aspirations and force real conversations about his future in the sport.

Boxing World Reacts to Joshua’s Dominant Victory

The boxing community largely expected Joshua to win but were impressed by how thoroughly he dominated. Netflix’s massive purse—reportedly worth $184 million split between both fighters—delivered on spectacle and provided a significant payday for the former champion. The bout drew massive viewership. Joshua’s stock has risen considerably, proving doubters wrong about his relevance in modern heavyweight boxing.

“Joshua finally hunted down an elusive Jake Paul, dropping the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter four times in a sixth-round knockout.”

— ESPN Boxing, Official Fight Results

Sources

• ESPN – Comprehensive fight coverage and technical analysis
• CBS Sports – Live round-by-round updates and official scoring
• Netflix – Official broadcaster and event details