Boxing’s reality hit hard for Jake Paul after his high profile fight against Anthony Joshua ended in a sixthround knockout loss and a broken jaw.
Despite the setback – and the immediate speculation about his future – Paul says he still plans to return to the sport after recovering from injur. However, his career ambitions have taken a hit after he was dropped from te WBA cruiserwreight rankings
The bout with Joshua, held at the Kaseya Center in Miami and streamed live on Netflix, drew an estimated 33 million global viewers, making it one of the platform’s biggest boxing events of 2025. The fight ranked #1 on Netflix in 45 countries and reached the top 10 in 91 regions worldwide, generating over 1.25 billion social impressions around the globe.
Paul’s run into the “real boxing” world had been gaining momentum after his victory over Julio Cesar Jr., which earned him a ranking in the World Boxing Association cruiserweight structure. However, the loss to Joshua erased that standing, leaving his place in the heavyweight picture in question and prompting discussions about what’s next in his unconventional boxing journey.
In the fight itself, Paul was outclassed before Joshua’s decisive finish. The knockout – and the double fractures to Paul’s jaw that followed – were confirmed when Paul shared Xray images showing two breaks and later underwent surgery with titanium plates inserted. “Lots of pain and stiffness,” he posted, adding that he’d be on liquids for about a week as he begins recovery.
Despite the severity of the injury, Paul has made it clear he isn’t ready to walk away from boxing.
“We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight and go for the cruiserweight world title,” he said, emphasizing a desire to recalibrate his career toward opponents more aligned with his natural weight class.
Paul reflects on mistakes and future plans
In the days after the fight, Paul spoke candidly about what he believes was his biggest error in preparing for a boxer of Joshua’s calibre: a lack of altitude training to enhance his cardio.
“I should have gone to altitude to train,” he told the Impaulsive podcast, noting that extra conditioning might have helped him maintain pace deeper into the fight.
Industry observers have pointed out that while Paul’s credibility in heavyweight boxing may have taken a hit, his drawing power is undeniable – as reflected by the massive Netflix viewership. Whether he returns at cruiserweight, targets world honours in a new division, or adjusts his approach entirely, Paul’s next moves will be closely watched by both fans and critics.
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