Nigerian-British heavyweight, Anthony Joshua on Saturday knocked out American boxer, Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout in Miami, United States.
The contest, scheduled for eight three-minute rounds—shorter than a standard heavyweight fight—ended in the sixth round when Joshua floored Paul for the fourth time with a crushing right hand to claim his 26th career knockout.
Paul, 28, a social media influencer-turned-boxer with seven knockouts, exceeded pre-fight expectations by surviving into the second half of the contest. He showed resilience under pressure but struggled to contain Joshua’s power and experience.
Joshua asserted full control in a dramatic fifth round, dropping Paul twice before closing the fight in the sixth with a sustained barrage of heavy punches.
Speaking after the bout, Joshua admitted the performance was not flawless but said the result was decisive. “It wasn’t the best performance. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination,” he said.
He praised Paul’s courage and determination, noting his ability to repeatedly beat the count. “Jake did well tonight. He got up time and time again. It takes a man to keep trying in there, and he deserves respect for that,” Joshua added.
Joshua said the fight marked a successful return after a 15-month layoff and signalled his readiness for bigger challenges ahead. He called on Tyson Fury to step into the ring next, saying the heavyweight division needed a genuine test.
Paul, who revealed that he suffered a broken jaw during the fight, declined to name his next opponent. He said he would take time away from boxing following his second professional defeat.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
