Boxing

Anthony Joshua bides his time and knocks out Jake Paul in the sixth round

Published

10 months ago

December 20, 2025

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.”

Boxing

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

Published

38 minutes ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch: Live Results and Fight Updates

By Boxing News 24 Desk – 10/17/2026 – Comments

Dubois defends his WBO heavyweight title against Wardley on DAZN PPV at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, October 17.

Fabio Wardley gets another crack at Daniel Dubois five months after dropping him twice but losing their first fight. Dubois recovered to stop Wardley in the 11th round in Manchester.

UPCOMING

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley

2026-10-17 · 14:00 ET / 7:00 PM UK · O2 Arena, London · Live on DAZN

Daniel Dubois0

AFTER0ROUNDS

Fabio Wardley0

ROUNDDaniel DuboisFabio Wardley

Wardley returns as the challenger. Dubois makes his first defence against the heavyweight he dethroned in May, with DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate Tier carrying the rematch.

Start Time and Ring Walks

Coverage starts at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.

Dubois and Wardley are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT. All times fall on Saturday, October 17.

DAZN PPV Price

The standalone PPV costs £24.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the USincluding the undercard and main event.

DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers receive the event without a separate PPV purchase.

Full Fight Card, Weigh-In Results and Expected Times

Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley

WBO heavyweight title

Dubois: 253.9 lbs (115.17 kg) | Wardley: 248.3 lbs (112.63 kg)

Expected ring walks: 10:30 pm BST / 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT

Louie O’Doherty vs Michael Gomez Jr.

British and Commonwealth lightweight titles

O’Doherty: 134.12 lbs (60.84 kg) | Gomez Jr.: 134.3 lbs (60.92 kg)

Approximate start: 9:30 pm BST / 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PT

Adam Olaniyan vs Dan Garber

Heavyweight

Olaniyan: 250.15 lbs (113.47 kg) | Garber: 223.15 lbs (101.22 kg)

Approximate start: 9:10 pm BST / 4:10 pm ET / 1:10 pm PT

Bakhodir Jalolov vs Solomon Dacres

Heavyweight

Jalolov: 255.12 lbs (115.72 kg) | Dacres: 242.9 lbs (110.18 kg)

Approximate start: 8:10 pm BST / 3:10 pm ET / 12:10 pm PT

Nelson Birchall vs Levi Gilles

Approximate start: 7:10 pm BST / 2:10 pm ET / 11:10 am PT

Image: Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley Rematch Live Results and Fight Updates

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Boxing

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Atif Oberlton Promises Exciting Future Ahead of Deon Nicholson Match

Undefeated American light heavyweight Atif Oberlton believes there is plenty more to come after rating his last performance seven out of ten as he prepares to face knockout puncher Deon Nicholson on November 7.

Oberlton improved to 17-0 with a shutout decision over Roamer Alexis Angulo in August, but believes he has another level to reach despite winning every round.

Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, the Philadelphia southpaw reflected on his victory over Angulo and becoming the first fighter to stop Carlos Gongora earlier this year.

“They said Carlos Gongora was going to be a very tough opponent, and he was one of my toughest challenges thus far. He’d never been stopped, and I was able to get the stoppage pretty early on because I locked in and trained the way I needed to.

“Looking back, I’d rate my performance against Angulo maybe a 7 out of 10—I could have definitely done better. But this camp is different mentally. We had a lot of factors going on last time, but I’m entirely focused now,” he told WBN.

The assessment comes as promoter Dmitriy Salita looks to establish Oberlton as America’s leading light heavyweight.

Oberlton Faces Nicholson

Nicholson enters their November 7 contest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 19 knockouts from 23 victories and a reputation for dangerous punching power.

The Alabama fighter was previously linked to a showdown with former undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev, making him another significant test for Oberlton.

“Nicholson is a good opponent—a good dance partner. We’re getting closer to the level of opponents that allow for a standout performance because the challenge keeps stepping up. I definitely don’t take him lightly. I respect everyone who gets in the ring and stands in front of me, but I’m going to go out there and do what I trained to do.”

The ten-round bout at Kiva Auditorium will be Oberlton’s fourth appearance of 2026, with Salita Promotions delivering on its promise to keep the unbeaten contender active.

Atif Oberlton pictured with promoter Dmitriy Salita ahead of his fight against Deon Nicholson — Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions Keeps Promise

Oberlton says his relationship with Salita has allowed him to build momentum while continuing to work toward a world title opportunity.

“Salita Promotions told me they were going to keep me busy when I signed, and they’ve kept their end of the bargain. I’m keeping mine by going out there, performing, and winning—whether by early stoppage or decision.

“As long as they keep putting people in front of me, I’m going to keep fighting. Every time I step in the ring, I want to perform better than the last time, climb the ladder, and take some hardware home. I’m ready to take some candy.”

Oberlton has already stopped Joseph George and Gongora in 2026 before proving he could dominate over ten rounds against Angulo.

With 14 knockouts in 17 victories, Oberlton has shown he can finish opponents early and control fights over the distance.

Now, with another training camp behind him and a fourth fight of the year approaching, Oberlton believes his best performances are still ahead of him.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

Boxing

Tony Bellews Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: Yep, I Said It

Published

7 hours ago

October 17, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Tony Bellew's Bold KO Prediction for Dubois vs Wardley 2: "Yep, I Said It"

Tony Bellew is going against the grain for tonight’s Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch.

The pair meet again just five months on from their thrilling first encounter, with Dubois now WBO champion having won the belt from Wardley via eleventh round stoppage.

After surviving two early knockdowns, the Londoner – who is now in his second stint as heavyweight titlist – took over the contest with a solid jab setting up thudding attacks that exhausted Wardley.

Though the Ipswich man stayed on his feet throughout, referee Howard Foster waved it off as the punishment because too much.

It is how the fight ended, and those last few rounds in which Dubois was largely dominating, that make him a strong favourite to retain his belt.

Giving his prediction to the BBCformer cruiserweight world champion Bellew backed Wardley to have success early again, but capitalise fully this time and end it.

“I’m going to be the difference. I am going to back Fabio Wardley by knockout within six rounds. Yep, I said [it]. I’m going for Fab within six.”

Dubois was on the canvas within ten seconds last time out, and took a knee in the third when hurt again.

Bellew has questioned Dubois’ resolve in the past, pointing to his stoppage loss to Joe Joyce as proof that there is a point he can be pushed to that he is not willing to go beyond. Many, however, will look to the first Wardley performance and disagree.

Both men recorded the highest weights of their careers on the scalessuggesting that neither will be changing the gameplan to a more measured affair, rather looking to engage in round 13 from the off tonight at London’s O2.