Jake Paul has revealed the “biggest mistake” he made in the run-up to his highly anticipated fight with Anthony Joshua. Joshua defeated Paul in the sixth round of a heavyweight clash at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, last Friday. After hitting the deck, the YouTuber-turned-boxer was immediately taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken jaw.
The next day on the “IMPAULSIVE” podcast, a struggling Paul revealed that doctors had inserted four metal plates into his jaw, which broke in two places and caused him to lose several teeth. “It’s like there’s a baseball in there,” he told his brother Logan during the episode that aired Tuesday. “Four titanium plates. Literally cracked, brother, completely cracked.”
Despite the loss, Paul maintained that he was still pleased with his performance against Joshua. “That means it’s not that strenuous to get a… beat,” he joked. “I actually won two rounds, then he won two, and then I got voted out.
“But yeah, I did well. I just think my cardio, the mental pressure of a massive guy, and sparring with massive guys is different than with 10-ounce gloves. So I felt his power more. But it was a great experience. I learned a lot there.”
Paul was originally scheduled to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who weighs around 135 pounds, last month. However, that plan was scrapped due to domestic violence allegations against Davis, which he denies.
Instead of sticking with the lightweight fighter, Paul decided to move up a few weight classes and challenge Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 243.4 pounds.
“It was just mental,” Paul commented on his fight with Joshua. “It was like he was imposing his will on me, he was massive and he was hitting massive shots. After that, yeah, it all went downhill from there. I wish I had more than three weeks to prepare, maybe I’d put on more muscle to be able to sit there and hit him.”
As soon as the first bell rang, Paul began circling the ring, keeping a considerable distance from Joshua, trying to hold on as long as possible. He seemed intent on avoiding direct confrontation with the 36-year-old, preferring instead to take advantage of occasional opportunities.
Paul’s constant circling, delaying and clinching tactics eventually took their toll as he looked exhausted midway through the fight. Joshua finally managed to catch up to his opponent, knocking him down twice in the fifth round and once again early in the sixth.
As Joshua cornered Paul, he landed a right hand to the head, sending him to the canvas for the final time.
Reflecting on his pre-fight preparations, Paul admitted that he should have trained at higher altitudes to boost his endurance. “I should have gone to altitude to train,” he admitted.
“It was my biggest mistake. I felt good about it [my camp]Yes. But for that I needed an extra level of cardio, and that can only be achieved by going to heights.
“Overall, it’s a great experience to play with someone so good. I learned a lot. I see where I could have done better. So I’m a little disappointed, but I also know how good he is. But at some point I unsettled him.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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