Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul via knockout in the sixth round of their highly anticipated heavyweight bout on Friday night at the Kaseya Center. The English boxer, a two-time heavyweight champion, showcased his elite punching power by flooring Paul multiple times before sealing the victory.

Joshua established control from the opening rounds, using his 6-inch reach advantage to keep Paul at bay with precise jabs. The fifth round saw Joshua drop Paul twice, signaling the bout’s turning point. In the sixth, Joshua landed a devastating right uppercut followed by a head combination, sending Paul to the canvas for the final time.

The fight, attended by a capacity crowd of 19,600, marked Joshua’s first bout since his September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. Paul, weighing 216 pounds, showed determination but was overpowered by Joshua’s superior technique and strength, with Joshua weighing 243 pounds for the bout.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Checks on Cameraman Injured by His Six, Applies Ice Pack and Hugs Him

With this victory, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) positions himself to reclaim the heavyweight title lost to Oleksandr Usyk and has reignited talks of a potential clash with fellow Brit and former champion Tyson Fury, who is currently retired following consecutive losses to Usyk.

Jake Paul (12-2) had initially aimed for an exhibition with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, but legal issues forced the cancellation of that event. Paul quickly pivoted to the high-profile matchup against Joshua, marking another step in his crossover boxing career.

The event also featured notable celebrities in attendance, including Rory McIlroy, Juan Soto, Dave Portnoy, Michael Irvin, and Brandon Marshall. In undercard action, retired UFC champion Anderson Silva scored a second-round TKO against Tyron Woodley, adding further excitement to the night’s fights.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Dropped from India T20 World Cup Squad; Axar Patel Named Vice-Captain