YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul has confirmed he has undergone surgery for a double broken jaw following his knockout defeat to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Post-Fight Hospital Visit and Surgery
The social media influencer, who suffered the suspected injury in the sixth round of their high-profile bout, drove himself to hospital after the fight. Paul later shared graphic images of his damaged jaw from his hospital bed, revealing the severity of the injury sustained from Joshua's powerful punches.
In an update posted on social media platform X, Paul wrote: "Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth. Thanks for all the love. Lots of pain and stiffness. Got to eat liquids for seven days." He also praised the medical staff, adding: "Shoutout to the amazing team at Miami University Hospital. Everyone was so gracious and caring."
Fight Recap and Controversial Tactics
The fight, which took place on Saturday 20 December 2025, saw Joshua initially frustrated by Paul's evasive movement in the early rounds. However, the tide turned decisively in the fifth round when Joshua scored two knockdowns. He sealed victory in the sixth with a massive right hand, prompting the referee to stop the contest.
Despite the one-sided conclusion, Paul's in-ring conduct drew criticism. His attempts to use wrestling-style takedowns during the match led referee Christopher Young to admonish both fighters in the fourth round, stating bluntly: "The fans didn't pay to see this crap."
Multi-Million Pound Payday and Future Plans
Despite the brutal loss and significant injury, the fight was a colossal financial success. It is reported that both fighters earned a staggering £70 million from the event.
Speaking in the ring immediately after the fight while spitting blood, Paul remained defiant about his future. "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," he said.
He added: "I've already won in every single way in life... Oh, for sure, we'll heal the broken jaw, go back, fight people my own weight and go for the cruiserweight world title." Paul also suggested fatigue played a role, stating he struggled with Joshua's weight and believed better cardio could have changed the outcome.
For his part, Anthony Joshua acknowledged the performance was not his most polished. "It wasn't the best performance. The end goal was to get him, pin him down and hurt him. That's what people wanted," he said in his post-fight interview. He did, however, credit Paul's resilience: "He got up, time and time again. It was difficult for me in there."
