YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul has been handed an indefinite medical suspension by the Florida Athletic Commission after suffering a devastating knockout defeat to former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The controversial bout, which took place at Miami's Kaseya Centre last Friday, ended in the sixth round with Paul requiring surgery for a jaw broken in two places.
A Frustrating Fight Ends in Brutal Fashion
Despite entering the ring as a significant underdog, Jake Paul managed to frustrate Anthony Joshua for much of the contest. The 36-year-old Joshua, who had not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois 15 months prior, struggled to land cleanly in the early rounds as Paul employed an evasive, movement-heavy strategy. The American even managed to land a jab in the third round and mocked a missed Joshua punch by poking out his tongue.
However, the fight's momentum shifted dramatically in a bizarre fourth round where Paul repeatedly fell to the canvas, prompting referee Christopher Young to admonish both fighters, stating, "the fans didn't pay to see this crap." Joshua's superior class and power finally told in the fifth round. A big left hand sent Paul to the canvas for the first count, followed swiftly by a right-left combination that produced a second knockdown.
The Final Blow and Immediate Aftermath
Showing resilience, Paul survived to hear the bell at the end of the fifth round. Yet, the reprieve was short-lived. In the sixth round, a sustained barrage from Joshua finally overwhelmed Paul in a corner, forcing the referee to wave off the fight. The final punch not only secured the knockout but also fractured Paul's jaw in two places, necessitating immediate post-fight surgery.
The Florida Commission's subsequent indefinite suspension is a standard procedure following a serious injury, meaning Paul must be fully medically cleared before he can fight again in the state. Given his stated plan not to return to the ring until next summer, this suspension is not expected to disrupt his career timeline.
What's Next for the Fighters?
For Anthony Joshua, the hard-fought victory keeps him on course for a potential historic showdown. Reports indicate he is close to agreeing a long-awaited fight against Tyson Fury, slated for Riyadh in 2026. For Jake Paul, the defeat represents a stark step up in competition, having built his record largely against former UFC stars and ageing boxing legends.
On the undercard, former undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner earned a points victory over Canada's Leila Beaudoin. In a notable post-fight announcement, 50-year-old UFC legend Anderson Silva, who stopped Tyron Woodley in the second round, vowed to continue fighting while also revealing plans to begin a second career as a police officer.
