Anthony Joshua has demanded Tyson Fury to “talk with his fists” and face him in 2026 to settle their differences in a British super fight.
AJ dispatched Jake Paul in six rounds, overcoming a frustrating opening against his overmatched opponent.
The Briton broke Paul’s jaw and then turned his attention to Fury, who had criticised him in the build-up to the fight, with a potential showdown reportedly arranged by Riyadh Season boss Turki Alalshikh.
“I appreciate everyone in this venue,” Joshua said after securing victory in Miami. “It wasn’t the best performance, the end goal was to get Paul, pin him down and hurt him.
“that was on my mind, it took longer than expected. Now, Jake Paul has done really well tonight. He got up, time and time again.
“It was difficult for me in there. We give them their respect, he tried and tried, but he came up against a real fighter in there.
“I had a 15 month layoff, if Tyson is as serious as he is, if he wants to put on some gloves, take a challenge, don’t give all that talking, AJ this, AJ that, let’s see you talk with your fists.”
While Paul detailed the damage suffered at the hands of the former world champion.
“That was crazy, I had a blast, I’m blessed by God to put on a performance like this. Anthony is a great fighter, I got my arse beat. But I’ll come back and keep winning,” Paul said.
“I’ve already won in every single way in life, my family, my jaw is broken by the way, it’s definitely broke, nice little arse whooping from one of the best to ever do it.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised, I just got tired, so much handling his weight, I think with better cardio, I could’ve kept fighting. I did my personal best.
“Oh, for sure, we’ll heel the broken jaw, go back, fight people my own weight and go for the cruiserweight world title.”
Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in their heavyweight boxing bout on Friday night, but not before both men were savaged by the referee for the lack of action in the fight.
The first four rounds didn’t provide much entertainment for fans in attendance at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Barely a punch was thrown in the first half of the bout, and when the Brit finally did start to find a way through, ‘The Problem Child’ appeared to begin falling to the canvas in an effort to avoid engaging with the former two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
Paul was claiming that he had been hit with a low blow, but if the American was trying to convince official Christopher Young to deduct a point from Joshua, it didn’t work.
Referee’s Brutal Comment Mid-Fight Comment to Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua
Instead, the referee brought both men together and told them in no uncertain terms what he thought of the fight to that point.
“Listen, the rough tactics have got to stop. The fans didn’t pay to see this crap. If you’re gonna fight, then fight, but fight within the rules!”
Young’s pep talk seemed to work, as Joshua upped his intensity in the second half of the fight, but it was hardly the sort of performance that will launch the Londoner back into heavyweight title contention.
Anthony Joshua needed a lot more time than most expected but the result was still the same after he blasted Jake Paul with a vicious right hand in the sixth round to score a knockout victory in their heavyweight main event.
The majority of the fight saw Joshua chasing Paul around the ring and trying to deliver punches with the Ohio native resigned to grabbing onto the clinch and effectively diving for legs to avoid taking damage. Finally as the fight moved into the sixth round, Joshua got fed up and really started pouring on the pressure.
That’s when he unleashed a devastating right hand that snapped Paul’s head around and he fell to the canvas. To his credit, Paul didn’t go unconscious but once he got back to his feet, it was clear he was done with the referee stopping the fight at 1:31 in the sixth round.
“It wasn’t the best performance. It wasn’t the best,” Joshua said after scoring the knockout. “It took a bit longer than expected but the right hand finally found the destination. Jake Paul, he’s done really well tonight. I want to give him his props. He got up time and time again. It was difficult in there for him but he kept on trying to find a way. It takes a real man to do that.
“Anyone who laces up their gloves, we always say we give them their respect. We have to give Jake his respect for trying and trying and trying. Well done but he came up against a real fighter tonight.”
For his part, Paul didn’t seem all that upset by the loss, although he revealed that the knockout punch broke his jaw as he found blood pooling in his mouth.
“I’m feeling good,” Paul said. “That was fun. I love this sport. I gave it my all. It’s f*cking crazy. I had a blast. I got my ass beat but that’s what this sport’s about. I’m going to come back and keep on winning.
“I think my jaw is broken. It’s definitely broke. That was good. A nice little ass whooping from one of the best to ever do it.”
The fight didn’t exactly play out like a barnburner with the Miami crowd growing restless at moments with Paul largely on his bike and Joshua in hot pursuit.
A very slow start gave way to the second round when Joshua got busier as he pursued Paul and threw a wild haymaker that didn’t land but the crowd definitely reacted. Whenever Joshua would load up on his punches, Paul worked into the clinch, which forced the referee to separate the fighters.
Paul’s game plan seemed to revolve around circling away and refusing to engage as Joshua just kept stalking forward, hoping to set up a knockout punch.
As time passed, Paul did manage to connect with a couple of straight punches but he continuously grabbed onto the body and almost dove for a takedown, which eventually led to a warning from the referee.
With the fight moving into the fifth round, Joshua clipped Paul with a solid uppercut but the social influencer ate the punch. Unfortunately, Paul was fading and Joshua continued to hammer away at him, eventually scoring back-to-back knockdowns with “The Problem Child” effectively taking a knee to weather the storm.
A right hand from Joshua opened the sixth round as Paul dropped to the canvas again as exhaustion washed over him. Smelling blood in the water, Joshua went after Paul before trapping him in the corner when he threw the knockout blow.
The right hand landed with devastating impact as Paul’s head whipped around in a violent motion before he fell to the canvas. That was the beginning of the end with the fight being stopped just a few moments later.
The knockout serves as Paul’s second professional loss after previously falling to Tommy Fury but he promised his next move is returning to cruiserweight after some much needed time off.
“We’re going to heal the broken jaw,” Paul said about what’s next for him. “Come back and fight people my weight. I’m going to take a little break. I’m going to take some time off.”
As for Joshua, he immediately turned his attention to a fight he’s been chasing almost as long as he’s been wearing boxing gloves.
“If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenges, step in the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy,” Joshua shouted. “Don’t do all that talking ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
As is standard practice, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have been suspended from boxing after the pair went head-to-head at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
YouTube personality Paul, who boasted a 12-1 record with seven knockouts coming into the eight-round contest, squared off against former heavyweight champion Joshua on Friday night in one of the most highly anticipated fights in recent times.
“The Problem Child” was scheduled to face Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in an exhibition on November 14 but the fight was cancelled after allegations of abuse were made against the former three-division world champion.
Paul was supremely confident coming into the fight with Joshua. “I don’t think he can knock me out because he’s not going to be able to line up his shots properly to land the hard punch,” he said on The Pat McAfee Show.
He added: “I think it’s going to be a very tough fight for multiple rounds, but then, when I figure out his pacing, his style, his speed, his footwork, he’s going to get a little bit tired trying to chase me around, and then I’m going to set up the shot.”
Paul claimed he would stop Joshua in the fifth or sixth round but the latter secured victory with a sixth-round knockout.
Regardless of how the fight played out, both men were always going to be hit with a suspension from boxing.
Therefore, both Paul and Joshua will be assessed by a physician and required to enter a mandatory seven-day resting period upon conclusion of the fight, with day one beginning on the first day after Friday’s heavyweight bout.
When he was knocked out by Paul in Florida in 2024, former MMA fighter Mike Perry was handed a 60-day medical suspension by the commission.
A technical knockout typically results in an automatic 30-day suspension, preventing a fighter from any type of boxing activity for that period.
After Paul beat Mike Tyson in a bout that went the distance in November 2024, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations demanded that both fighters be suspended for 24 days – three days for every round they fought.
The regulations are enforced to prioritise the health of fighters and ensure they are given adequate time to recover.
The much-anticipated fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul delivered excitement at the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19, 2025. Joshua, two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, faced Paul, the YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, in a bout streamed on Netflix.
Round-by-Round Highlights
Round 1: Paul moved cautiously, staying at distance and trying to land body shots. Joshua’s jabs and counters kept him in control. The opening round saw minimal action but set the tone for Joshua’s strategy.
Round 2: Joshua’s precision became evident as he landed clean jabs and a left hook, wobbing Paul. Clinches occurred, but Joshua’s timing dominated the exchanges.
Round 3: Paul attempted aggressive in-fighting and clinching, but Joshua’s counters and combinations kept him ahead. Paul’s mobility helped him survive the round, though he struggled to land significant shots.
Round 4: Both fighters exchanged punches in the center, with Joshua landing effective jabs and uppercuts. Paul’s occasional clinches and rolls slowed momentum, but Joshua’s clean strikes kept him in control.
Round 5: Joshua opened up with powerful combinations to the body and head. Paul took a knee multiple times to recover, and a controversial knockdown was called. Joshua continued to pressure and dominate exchanges.
Round 6: Joshua’s precision and power overwhelmed Paul. After multiple knockdowns and relentless attacks, the referee stopped the fight at 1:31, declaring Anthony Joshua the winner via KO.
Joshua’s victory showcased his experience, timing, and power, ending Paul’s six-fight winning streak and reinforcing his heavyweight dominance.
Official Result: Anthony Joshua def. Jake Paul via KO (Round 6, 1:31)
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua had some much hype coming into their Netflix boxing fight Friday night in Miami, Florida.
However, fans in attendance and around the world were highly disappointed with the showing when the two heavyweight stars stepped into the ring.
Anthony Joshua came away with a sixth-round knockout of Paul, which was certainly longer than the Englishman wanted the fight to go. Prior to stepping into the ring, Joshua maintained that anything other than a first-round win would be a disappointment.
Jake Paul was seen dancing around the ring for most of the night despite landing a few quality jabs. His showmanship and dodging ability largely contributed to the YouTube star lasting as long as he did.
Joshua was quick to thank the crowd after the fight before stating that his goal was to “hurt Jake Paul.” The two-time heavyweight champion stayed gracious with his victory and called out Tyson Fury after the victory.
For the first time in the ring in over 15 months, Anthony Joshua bounced back from his shocking loss to Daniel Dubois. The fight marked the second time Joshua has competed on American soil after previously losing to Andy Ruiz years ago.
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Meanwhile, Paul picks up his second professional loss after previously losing to Tommy Fury. The younger Paul brother surprised fans by being gracious in defeat, however, he did state he will be a champion in the future.
Jake Paul talked a big game before his bout with Anthony Joshua on Friday, but his controversial approach left fans frustrated and even the announcing team angry at times.
Paul lost on a sixth-round knockout, but not before fans grew upset at several falls that Paul took in what some saw as an attempt to extend the match. The former YouTube star turned boxer came into the fight as a big underdog and was able to make it six rounds against the former Olympic champion, but not before sparking some major backlash among fans.
Paul’s approach sparked a big backlash, with many fans taking to social media to mock his several falls.
Announcers for the Netflix bout called out Paul for his “putrid” approach, throwing fewer than 10 punches in several rounds. Paul fell to the canvas several times while grappling with Anthony in the fourth round, including one time when he appeared to take a knee to the groin and took several moments to return to the bout.
Paul took two falls in the fifth round, withstanding a flurry of punches just before the bell to end the round. He went down again early in the sixth round, then again with 1:33 remaining when the fight was stopped.
Paul had plenty of confidence before the bout, saying in a pre-fight press conference that he believed he was a better fighter than the Olympic gold medalist.
“On paper, the cards are stacked against me but really, in terms of boxing, I’m a better boxer than AJ which is like a hilarious thing to say but he’s got two left feet, he’s stiff,” Paul told reporters, via Bloody Elbow.
The former social media star turned boxer went on to mock Joshua, bringing his typical theatrics to the press conference.
“If I was his coach I would put him in a dance class first, before trying to box,” Paul said. “And really, just bringing in the right sparring partners to help me prepare so that I can get looks that are similar to him and that’s really just been the strategy but I’m gonna go in there and display all my skills.”
Paul told ESPN that he believed he would pull off the upset.
“I’ve studied David and Goliath going into this fight,” Paul said. “There’s a split-second moment where Goliath draws back his arrow, and that’s when David can hit him. I believe the same thing will happen here. There’s going to be a moment when Joshua is exposed, and I know I have the power to be able to beat him.”
Sanctioned Fight Sparked Controversy
Even before Paul and Anthony stepped into the ring on Friday, their fight was generating controversy. ESPN’s Mark Kriegel wrote that it was a “disgrace” that the Florida State Athletic Commission sanctioned the fight despite the massive disparities in size and experience between the fighters.
He suggested that it would have never been sanctioned had Paul been a “lesser-known 12-1 cruiserweight and not a promoter.”
“I’m not a prude here. Nor a hater,” Kriegel wrote. “I don’t expect anyone to get seriously hurt, especially not when the promoter and fighter are one and the same. My bet’s on a muffled affair in the name of commerce. But there’s still that terrible chance, and now (thank you, Florida), a terrible precedent.”
Terence Crawford hit with lawsuit over alleged breach of jewelry promotion agreement
Terence Crawford hasn’t been retired for a full week, but he’s already got another fight on his hands — albeit a legal one — ’cause the legendary boxer has been sued by a prominent jeweler who claims Bud lied to him and screwed him over.
In the lawsuit, filed on December 18 and obtained by TMZ Sports, 38-year-old Crawford is accused of hitting up Mazza New York in February 2024 for several custom pendants for him and his team (we previously reported when Bud copped ’em).
According to Mazza, Crawford became interested in a $139k Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch while in the store, but rather than buying it flat out, Mazza claims Bud suggested he pay $35k, and then would cover the rest by promoting the jewelry store on his trunks during a fight.
Mazza says he agreed, however, when Crawford’s August 2024 fight against Israil Madrimov rolled around, the jeweler claims the logo “had completely fallen off” by the 4th round.
Mazza claims that Crawford and his representatives acknowledged that they did not fulfill the agreement and promised to make it up in the next fight, which was against Canelo Alvarez.
The jeweler says he delivered a patch with his logo to Bud’s rep before the September 13 mega-fight, but says he was ultimately told the “logo would not appear on Crawford’s shorts during the Alvarez fight.”
Mazza says he wasn’t given “any reason or explanation for this sudden and unexpected change” regarding the patch on Terence’s shorts.
By allegedly blowing off the agreement, Mazza says his business was deprived of an opportunity to elevate his brand, claiming he missed out on an estimated $1.5 million worth of promotion.
And, that’s exactly what Mazza is looking for, at a minimum, in addition to other damages.
The harsh truth behind Terence Crawford’s career stopped mattering – here’s why
Terence Crawford has retired from boxing with a perfect record and a secure legacy, in a business where very few get to walk away with both of those things.
Crawford is now 38, he is unbeaten in 42 fights, and during his 18 years in the ring he won versions of world titles at five different weights; he managed to become the undisputed champion – the holder of all four recognised belts – at three weights.
Crawford’s boxing career ended in front of over 70,000 people when he beat Canelo Alvarez just three months ago, but it had started in obscurity over four rounds in hotel lounges. He was just another dreamer, a kid from Omaha with wild ambition, but no gimmick.
Finally, in 2013, he had a break; he was 19-0 at the time, but had only been in four-, six- and eight-round fights in boxing’s lost and forgotten outposts. He was matched with the devastating puncher, Breidis Prescott, in Las Vegas. Crawford accepted the fight at short notice and won all 10 rounds, and his long and hard road to recognition was over. The unknown kid from Omaha had arrived.
Just two fights and one year later, Crawford travelled to Scotland to beat Ricky Burns and win the WBO lightweight title. Crawford was the underdog in that fight; it went the full 12 rounds, and it was the start of a truly extraordinary sequence of 20 consecutive world-title fights. Crawford has maintained Burns was “the greatest fight of my career”.
Crawford started his world-championship reign at lightweight and finished against Alvarez at super-middleweight. He eased through the divisions, becoming undisputed champion at super-lightweight, welterweight and super-middleweight. Last summer he won the interim WBO super-lightweight title.
It means he dominated for 12 years, across the weight chasm of 135lb to 168lb.
Crawford also stopped or knocked out 15 of the 20 men he beat in world-title fights. He was known as a boxer, but those numbers make him a banger.
The harsh truth is that it took Crawford a long, long time to become a high-profile champion. He was in good fights, often against good fighters, but at that time he lacked the respect he believed he was owed. It took a considerable amount of time and fights to get the respect he deserved.
Crawford blamed promoters, and the promoters blamed Crawford. “It’s their job to promote me,” he said during his ugly split with Bob Arum. He was, it must be said, reluctant at times to embrace the glitzy side of the business. “I lost money on his fights,” Arum countered.
Crawford had seven fights at super-lightweight, which is also known as light-welterweight, and in 2017 he became an undisputed champion for the first time. However, stoppage wins against men like Thomas Dulorme, Dierry Jean, Hank Lundy and Julius Indongo hardly raised his profile outside the business. Still, his standing inside the game was high and his qualities were appreciated.
The move to welterweight in 2018 changed the judgement and shifted the spotlight considerably in his direction. The stoppage win over Amir Khan in six easy rounds at Madison Square Garden in 2019 was the type of win that he needed – it was a win against a high-profile fighter, a man with status, a man with a name.
There was then a trio of stoppage wins against former champions and a leading contender; the three fights were, due to Covid, spread over three years and they changed the way everybody in the business looked at Crawford. He stopped Kell Brook in four, Shawn Porter in 10 and David Avanesyan in six rounds.
It also helped that Crawford at welterweight had a fancied and dangerous natural rival in Errol Spence Jr, who held the three other belts at the weight.
Spence Jr was unbeaten in 28 fights but was troubled away from the ring, and when they met in 2023 it was a ‘50-50 fight’ in billing. But, as it turned out, not in the ring on the night, it was a mismatch. Crawford won in round nine of a shutout and Spence Jr was dropped three times. Spence Jr has not fought since, and Crawford has only boxed once each year in the last six years.
The simple method of preservation has helped him; the careful selection of fights in his early championship reign also helped Crawford grow old effortlessly. He is a fresh 38, not a man battling to recapture the speed and timing of his youth.
Last summer, Crawford had a hard 12-round win over Israil Madrimov for the WBO interim super-light title; it looked like he had reached the ceiling of his weight gain. On the night against Madrimov, he was 19lb heavier than he had been a decade earlier against Burns in his first world-title fight. It felt like Crawford’s power and skill had diminished with the weight gain, and that he would not go any higher.
Everybody was wrong – Crawford had a grand plan, a goodbye fight to defy sensible thinking.
He hibernated for about 10 months, agreed terms for the Alvarez fight, gained around 12lb in muscle across his back and shoulders, and put on a masterclass in front of over 70,000 to become the undisputed champion at a third weight.
His retirement was a shock, but it makes sense. He is one of the best modern fighters. He is, perhaps, the last of the great fighters to rule at his various weights with such majesty, after an obscure start in the business.
But his rivalry with Fury has once again become a sideshow this week, as reports gather pace that the pair are set to do battle in 2026.
Fury posted a video on his Instagram story branding his long-term foe a ‘classless loser’, in response to Joshua’s suggestion he will ‘kill’ Paul if given the opportunity.
