Anthony Joshua stops Jake Paul in sixth round in Miami, but circus leaves boxing fans divided

Anthony Joshua stopped Jake Paul in the sixth round at the Kaseya Center in Miami, a knockout that keeps Joshua on course for a potential heavyweight title showdown with Tyson Fury. The bout, marketed as a marquee crossover, delivered the payoff Joshua needed to advance toward the dream matchup, even as the spectacle drew scrutiny over boxing’s direction and the appetite for high-profile mismatches.

From the opening bell, Paul moved around the ring with the gait of a challenger more comfortable dodging than exchanging, while Joshua pressed forward with patient, cleaner punching. Paul’s legs looked unstable at times, and he bounced between bursts of offense and evasive footwork that left much of the action looking more like a showman’s routine than a genuine toe-to-toe contest. The YouTube personality did land a few hard shots, but the pattern remained predictable: Joshua dictating range, Paul circling, and the clock easing toward a decisive moment. The turning point arrived in the sixth round, when Joshua unleashed a sustained flurry that left Paul staggered and unable to mount a meaningful reply, prompting referee Chris Young to intervene and lift Joshua’s arm in victory. Paul is believed to have suffered a broken jaw in the stoppage, according to reports following the fight. The celebratory moment for Joshua was tempered by the visible toll of the night on both fighters and the lingering questions about the spectacle’s value as a sporting contest.

The event arrived amid a computing legacy more than a traditional boxing match: Netflix backed the production and pitched it to hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide, underscoring the growing crossover appeal of boxing in an era dominated by streaming platforms and global publicity. On hand were a mix of sports luminaries and celebrities, illustrating the breadth of interest in a fight many viewed less as pure sport and more as a cultural moment. MLB star Juan Soto and golf icon Rory McIlroy sat ringside, joined by Barstool founder Dave Portnoy and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, among others. A service dog at ringside added to the night’s spectacle, while rapper 6ix9ine walked Paul to the ring under probation considerations, a reminder of the event’s carnival-like atmosphere. The undercard—featuring Anderson Silva against Tyron Woodley—was met with boos, signaling that many in attendance hoped for more sustained action than the main event delivered.

Tickets for Joshua-Paul were originally marketed from roughly $99 up to $30,000, with early surges of interest giving way to a price environment that fluctuated as fight night approached. In the hours before the main card, tickets online could be found for as little as $31, and sources reported several sections with available seating even as the event drew a robust, youthful crowd. By fight time, some premium seats remained, though the overall atmosphere suggested a turnout that reflected curiosity about the crossover rather than a traditional boxing pilgrimage. There were also reports of an uneven attendance picture at the weigh-in, where the gallery contained a mix of invited guests and paying spectators, including many who had traveled for the spectacle.

What unfolded in Miami is a reminder of boxing’s evolving ecosystem, where a former heavyweight champion’s presence and a heavyweight title dream sit alongside a modern entertainment framework built around celebrity attendance, large production values, and streaming distribution. Joshua spoke of plans to “save” boxing from a loud, polarizing opponent, positioning the bout as a vehicle to a higher-stakes clash. Paul, for his part, extended his willingness to endure and land moments of impact, contributing to a narrative of perseverance more than dominance for a fighter stepping into a different weight and public scrutiny. The night also offered a sharp, unvarnished reflection of a sport that remains deeply regional in its loyalties while trying to monetize global attention through spectacle.

Boxing observers noted that while Joshua achieved the knockout and retained a clear path to a high-profile future fight, the show’s broader reception highlighted a persistent tension within the sport: the balance between entertainment value and competition quality. The lingering debate centers on whether crossover events like this elevate boxing’s profile or risk normalizing mismatches that can undermine long-term legitimacy. For many fans and pundits, the answer remains nuanced. The night underscored boxing’s marketability, but it also underscored a demand for meaningful competition and a clear demonstration that such spectacles can coexist with, and perhaps even reinforce, the sport’s competitive core. In the immediate aftermath, the focus shifted to the practical implications: Joshua’s KO secures a pathway forward; Paul leaves with a record that includes a painful, scrutinized loss, and the public conversation about how best to balance crossover appeal with athletic integrity continues.