Jake Paul left the ring on his feet, but his night against Anthony Joshua ended in a hospital room.
The YouTuber turned professional boxer suffered significant injuries after being overwhelmed and stopped in the sixth round of his heavyweight clash with the former world champion, a fight that underscored the gulf between spectacle and elite power.
Paul was knocked down four times before the contest was finally waved off. Joshua delivered the decisive blow with a clean right hand, bringing an end to a bout that had steadily tilted further out of reach. The damage was immediate and severe.
Paul was diagnosed with a double broken jaw and transported straight to hospital, missing the post-fight press conference entirely.
Despite the violent ending, Paul did manage to rise after the knockout and walk out of the ring without assistance, a moment that eased immediate concern among fans inside the arena. Not long after, he posted an X-ray image from the hospital confirming the extent of the injury, pairing it with a familiar dose of bravado.
“Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo [Alvarez] in 10 days,” he wrote.
That defiance mirrored the tone he struck moments after the fight, when he openly acknowledged the punishment he had taken while expressing admiration for his opponent.
“I think my jaw is broken, by the way. It’s definitely broke,” Paul said.
“But that was a nice little a** whopping from one of the best to ever do it.
“I love this s***, but I’m going to come back and get a championship belt at some time. I’m feeling good, that was fun. I love this sport.
“I gave it my all. It’s f***ing crazy. I had a blast. I got my a** beat, but that’s what this sport is about. I’m going to come back and keep on winning.”
Control, patience, and a decisive finish
From the opening round, Joshua dictated the terms of the fight. He controlled distance with ease, picked his shots carefully, and avoided unnecessary exchanges. Paul struggled to close the gap and was often forced into retreat or clinches as the knockdowns accumulated.
After the stoppage, cameras captured Paul opening his mouth and asking those nearby, “It’s fine, right?” while his jaw appeared visibly misaligned. There were also signs that some of his teeth had been displaced, though the fractures were the primary concern that sent him for immediate medical care.
Financially, the fight remained a massive success despite the physical toll. Reports indicated that both fighters earned an equal share of £140m from the Netflix broadcast, ensuring the night was lucrative even as it proved punishing for Paul.
The crowd in Miami endured long stretches of awkward pacing and uneven action before finally seeing the knockout many had come for. When it arrived, it was definitive, leaving little debate about the outcome.
Read the full article here
