Jake Paul finally gave the fans what they’ve been waiting for, stepping into the ring with an elite pro boxer. Let’s just say that things did not go as planned for the former Disney Channel actor and YouTube star.
This highly anticipated fight answered a lot of questions and raised a few more. Let’s take a look at how the bout unfolded, what it showed us about Jake Paul as a boxer and what his next move could look like following this devastating loss.
How the Paul-Joshua Fight Played Out
Having built up his record with questionable wins over social media influencers, mixed martial artists and over-the-hill fighters, Paul finally took on a real competitor in Anthony Joshua. A two-time unified heavyweight world champion, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) represented the biggest challenge of Paul’s professional boxing career.
The influencer-turned-fighter was a heavy underdog entering the fight, with Joshua holding a considerable advantage in height, weight and reach. Paul danced around the ring with a hit-and-run strategy that allowed him to survive the first few rounds, but Joshua’s power and experience were ultimately too much for him to overcome.
Paul was dropped multiple times in the later rounds of the fight, before Joshua delivered the knockout blow at the 1:31 mark of round six. The decisive right hand landed flush on Paul’s jaw, snapping his head back and dropping him to the canvas for good. The punch actually broke his jaw, requiring surgery and titanium plates, making it the most destructive blow absorbed by Paul throughout his entire career.
What This Loss Actually Means for Paul
This is the first time that Paul has taken on an elite boxer in his prime. While Paul’s looked good in the ring since turning pro in 2020, this fight highlighted the clear distinction between a good celebrity boxer and a championship-level heavyweight.
Paul’s fans are defending the performance, crediting him for showing real toughness in taking on the elevated competition. Most crossover fighters wouldn’t dare take on a former heavyweight champion, but Paul embraced the challenge and earned the respect of many for simply stepping into the ring with Joshua.
His critics, on the other hand, will point to this fight as clear proof that Paul is not built for the world of pro boxing. His wins have come against subpar opponents and his most recent loss to Joshua shows that hype and bravado can only take a fighter so far.
The perception surrounding Paul’s boxing career has now shifted from “Can he become a contender?” to “Is he a legitimate pro fighter?” With boxing fans around the world awaiting his next move, Paul needs to decide if he wants to continue facing elite competition or return to easier bouts against less talented fighters.
Where Does Paul Go From Here?
The loss to Anthony Joshua didn’t end Paul’s boxing career, but it is forcing him to reconsider his next step. Paul built his reputation as a fighter by carefully selecting his opponents, but he threw caution to the wind when he stepped into the ring with an elite heavyweight.
At this point in his career, Paul has to make a decision about how he wants to move forward. He can fully commit to his pro boxing career and continue taking on top-tier fighters, or lean back into entertainment-style boxing against other celebrities and aging MMA stars.
Each path comes with its own pros and cons, making it a difficult decision for the social media icon. Here’s a quick look at both options and what it will mean for Paul moving forward.
Path One: Recommit to Pro Boxing
If Paul is truly committed to becoming a legitimate contender, it won’t be long before he’s back in the gym training for his next fight. Getting knocked out by Joshua the way he did was a major ego check, but there’s no denying his toughness and athleticism as a fighter.
True to form, Paul has already moved on from the loss on social media, posting an X-ray of his injuries with the caption “Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days.” It may be a bit more than 10 days until he’s back in the ring, but this fight could happen if Paul can string together a few more wins against some experienced pro fighters.
Path Two: Return to Celebrity Boxing
Paul wouldn’t be the first professional boxer to have his career trajectory altered by an Anthony Joshua knockout. A return to celebrity boxing would allow Paul to stay in the spotlight while still protecting his health and confidence by only facing crossover opponents or retired fighters.
Paul has proven to be a shrewd businessman over the years, and this path would allow him to continue growing his personal brand through big headlines and easy wins against lesser competition. He gets to keep the fame and fortune, but without all the risk that comes with fighting for a championship belt.
The Bottom Line
Love him or hate him, Paul has already impacted the business of boxing in a profound way, proving to be one of the sport’s best promoters. The Joshua loss doesn’t erase all that Paul has accomplished in the ring; it simply forces him to make a decision about the future of his career.
Whether he remains dedicated to becoming a true contender or returns to the ranks of celebrity boxing, his next move is sure to garner plenty of speculation. The hype isn’t gone — it’s just at a crossroads.