Boxing
Anthony Joshua bides his time and knocks out Jake Paul in the sixth round
Published
4 months agoon
MIAMI – Jake Paul learned the challenging way that there are levels in boxing, and former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua operates in a different stratosphere.
In an ugly fight that lasted much longer than many expected, Joshua knocked out Paul in the sixth round of Saturday night’s scheduled eight-round main event at the Kaseya Center. Joshua scored four knockdowns – twice in the fifth round and twice in the sixth – finishing the fight in 1:31.
Paul, a social media influencer turned professional boxer, spent the first half of the fight distancing himself from Joshua (29-4, 26 KO) as jeers rained down on the arena. Paul’s reluctance to fight saw him survive early on, but his fitness betrayed him when the powerful Briton caught up with his tiring opponent and ended the fight with a brilliant straight right hand as chants of “knock him out” rang out.
“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua said, showing respect to Paul for coming to the fight. “It took a little longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its target.”
Joshua landed 48 of 146 punches (32.9%), including 31 in rounds 5 and 6. Paul landed 16 of 56 punches (28.6%), including none in the sixth round.
After a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, Joshua returned to the game after a 15-month break for a fight that no one saw coming. However, when Paul’s scheduled November fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis was canceled due to the WBA lightweight champion’s recent legal troubles, Paul was determined to find a modern opponent before the end of the year.
Paul (12-2, 7 KO) always wanted to fight Joshua and the two fighters quickly met in a sanctioned heavyweight boxing match.
Many doubted whether Joshua would take Paul seriously as an opponent, but the 2012 Olympic gold medalist was adamant that he would not underestimate Paul despite his inexperience.
Their differences came to a head in the ring Friday night, with Joshua focused on scoring the knockout while Paul tried to survive.
Joshua entered the ring with Philadelphia rapper Freeway performing “What We Do,” while Paul, wearing a Hulk Hogan-inspired ring outfit, walked out with older brother Logan by his side and controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine performing “Billy.” Once the fight started, the two engaged in a game of cat and mouse.
There was a significant size difference between them: Paul weighed 216.6 pounds, the second heaviest weight of his professional career, and Joshua weighed 243.4 pounds, well within the contracted weight limit of 245 pounds. But it was Joshua’s advantages of 5 inches high and 6 inches reach, not to mention his years of championship experience, that would be too much for Paul to overcome.
Despite this, Paul survived longer than some of Joshua’s previous opponents, which included Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin. However, surviving his opponent did not mean winning the fight, as Joshua constantly aimed for the knockout. The restless crowd demanded more action and Paul’s strategy was to stay out of trouble and hope to catch Joshua with his right hand.
After numerous clinches and falls to the canvas, an exhausted Paul was forced to fight in round 5. He connected with the ball with his right hand, but the unfazed Joshua scored two knockdowns, the first with a body shot, the second with a 1-2 combination.
In round 6, Joshua sprung into action and slammed the injured Paul to the canvas with a right hand. Paul got up but couldn’t escape as Joshua landed a brief right hand that knocked him down for good.
Paul, who was smiling on the canvas, later revealed that the fight-ending punch broke his jaw. He published on social media He underwent surgery on Saturday.
Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days. pic.twitter.com/8R8NK4OeUv
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 20, 2025
Despite the injury, Paul said he did not feel demoralized and would continue his boxing career.
“Man, I’ve won in every way in my life,” Paul said about making the unlikely fight with Joshua.
Paul added: “I’m going to come back and fight people my weight, and at some point I’ll fight for the world cruiserweight championship. I’ll take a little break. I’ve been training challenging for six years, so I’ll take some time off.”
With the knockout victory, Joshua can claim his first victory in over a year. More importantly, it prepares him for a potential All-British clash with former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The two have been circling each other for years, and a fight was teased but never materialized. Fury is currently retired.
“If Tyson Fury is as stern as he thinks he is and wants to put his Twitter fingers in his gloves, come and fight one of the realest fighters in the world,” Joshua said. “If you’re a really bad boy, get in the ring with me. Don’t talk so long. I’ll see you in the ring and we’ll talk with our fists.”
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Boxing
Lennox Lewis gives an truthful assessment of the Vitali Klitschko fight and the reasons he retired
Published
11 minutes agoon
April 26, 2026
Lennox Lewis surrendered on his own terms shortly after defeating Vitali Klitschko, but he still found it extremely arduous to hang up his gloves.
Before retiring, Lewis had firmly established himself as the all-time heavyweight champion, especially after he overtook Evander Holyfield for the undisputed crown in 1999.
Then “The Lion” would do it lost to Hasim Rahman in a shocker in 2001, then took revenge for the defeat by reaching the fourth round in the same year.
At this point he had beaten every fighter in the opposite corner, and he only continued this pattern after securing an eighth-round berth over Mike Tyson in 2002.
But instead of sailing off into the sunset, Lewis was convinced by his legendary trainer Emanuel Steward to fight Klitschko in 2003.
I’m talking to Heavenly sportsLewis said it was simply an opportunity to further cement his legacy by fighting the previous and potentially future heavyweight champion. He admitted that the performance was not pretty, but assured that he did his job.
“My coach Emanuel said, ‘Listen, you can beat the present and the future in this fight,’ and I said, ‘Well, I’ll take it.’ It wasn’t a pretty fight, but I still won.”
Indeed, it was a close fight between Lewis and Klitschko, who was ultimately stopped in the sixth round after suffering significant facial injuries.
However, Klitschko won the vacant WBC belt shortly thereafter and remained undefeated (defending the title 11 times) before retiring in 2012.
Meanwhile, Lewis was tempted to return several times, but was keenly aware of the focus and discipline he needed to compete at the highest level.
“There were many times I felt like jumping back into the ring, but stay focused [and] discipline kept me at bay.
“Let me tell you, it was difficult. I wanted to retire and say I wasn’t coming back and it was difficult to stay out of the ring. HBO gave me a job as a commentator and I was back there in front of boxing and trying to get away from boxing.
“I said I’ve done everything, I don’t have to prove anything anymore. So I stayed away from boxing.”
After retiring, Lewis became a widely respected pundit, analyst and commentator, largely due to his deep understanding of the sport.
“He’s a great fighter. He has everything,” Sulaiman told Ring Champs. “He has all-time potential. He’s a great fighter.”
Sulaiman said Stevenson’s skills have already been proven in multiple leagues, adding that the latest move has only strengthened his standing in the sport.
The comments came when Sulaiman was asked whether Stevenson could finally become boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter. His answer was direct.
“I think so,” Sulaiman said. “He looks very good and sturdy in this weight class.”
Stevenson’s rise also became a major topic of conversation after the Teofimo fight. Sulaiman said the up-to-date division seemed to suit him physically.
At 28 years elderly, Stevenson is currently at the point in his career where accolades become expectations. Talent alone no longer divides him. The question is whether his upcoming fights match the level people currently see in him.
All the while, Sugar Ray Robinson was moving up from welterweight to middleweight and fighting the toughest monsters of his era without asking them to suck him parched. When you request a hydration clause, as Shakur did with Conor Benn at welterweight, you are essentially saying that you want your opponent to be at his weakest while you are at his best.
Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” during his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.
Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” in his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.
Boxing
Gervonta Davis called out by world champion for mega fight: “I need it”
Published
4 hours agoon
April 26, 2026
Gervonta Davis’ future is currently in doubt, but that’s not stopping one of the reigning world champions from calling out ‘Tank’ for a showdown.
It was over a year since Davis last saw action in March 2025 against Lamont Roach Jr. This fight ended in a controversial majority draw, but “Tank” still defended his WBA lightweight title.
Since then, however, the Baltimore man’s life has been extremely hard. A first-time exhibition with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for November, was canceled after Davis found himself at the center of domestic violence allegations.
Further allegations led to “Tank” losing his WBA belt and being declared champion during his hiatus, but earlier this year reports surfaced that he could return against former foe and current WBC interim super lightweight champion Isaac Cruz.
After Ryan Garcia posted, it’s yet another former foe of Davis who is now calling for a rematch social media his intention to secure a second fight.
“I pray I get a tank rematch one day. I need it back on equal footing. I need it!!!”
Garcia suffered a seventh-round loss to Davis when they met in April 2023, but “King Ry” has repeatedly said since the fight that he was far from his best as it was a 136-pound catchweight fight with a 10-pound rehydration clause.
in February Garcia defeated Mario Barrios to win the WBC welterweight titleand if Davis decides to campaign at 147 pounds, the prospect of winning world titles in another weight class could tempt him into a rematch with “King Ry.”
Lennox Lewis gives an truthful assessment of the Vitali Klitschko fight and the reasons he retired
Sulaiman says Shakur has huge all-time potential
‘ANTHONY JOSHUA BEATS TYSON FURY’ – Teofimo Lopez REACTS to Conor Benn NOT STOPPING PROGRAIS
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