Jake Paul has outlined his next step after suffering a sixth-round knockout defeat to former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, revealing plans to set his sights on the cruiserweight division despite the punishing loss.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer took sustained punishment in Miami before Joshua ended the one-sided contest with a clean right hand in the sixth round. Paul was knocked down four times before the referee brought the fight to a halt.
The impact was severe, with Paul diagnosed with a double broken jaw and taken straight to hospital, forcing him to miss the post-fight press conference.
Despite the brutal finish, Paul left the ring on his feet and later shared an X-ray from hospital confirming his injuries, while issuing a bold challenge to another elite fighter.
“Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo [Alvarez] in 10 days,” he wrote.
Jake Paul spent much of his defeat to Anthony Joshua in a familiar position, under sustained pressure from the former heavyweight world champion.
Speaking shortly after the fight, Paul acknowledged the punishment he endured while paying tribute to his opponent. According to Marca, he said, “I think my jaw is broken. It’s definitely broken. But that was a serious beating from one of the best to ever do it.
“I love this sport. I gave it my all. It’s crazy, but I had a blast. I took a beating, but that’s what this sport is about. I’m going to come back and keep winning, and one day I’ll get a championship belt.”
From the opening round, Joshua controlled the contest with precision, dictating the distance, picking his shots, and repeatedly forcing Paul onto the back foot.
Cameras later captured Paul checking his jaw in the ring after the stoppage, underlining the severity of the injuries that saw him taken immediately for medical attention.
Despite the one-sided nature of the bout, the fight proved financially successful. Reports indicate both fighters earned equal shares of a £140 million purse from the Netflix broadcast, highlighting the commercial appeal of the matchup.
Following the loss, the 28-year-old confirmed his intention to move into the cruiserweight division at 200 pounds, revealing that discussions are already underway with reigning champions.
“Zurdo [Ramírez] and Jai are probably tied for number one, and I’d say Badou [Jack] is number two,” Paul said. “They’re all formidable opponents, and we’re in conversations with Zurdo and Badou about potential fights next year.”
Paul acknowledged that cruiserweight presents a different challenge, trading the raw power of heavyweight bouts for greater speed, volume, and technical skill.
He also explained why Australian pound-for-pound standout Jai Opetaia is not currently a primary target. “It might line up, but at the end of the day, there are a hundred people who want to fight me,” he said.
While the knockout defeat served as a stark reminder of the gap between an established heavyweight champion and a relative newcomer, Paul remains undeterred. He believes the cruiserweight division offers a realistic path to world titles and continued growth in his boxing career.
