By Charles Pemu 
The “Problem Child” has met his match in a heavy-handed reality check. YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is facing a long road to recovery after former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua delivered a clinical and devastating performance, breaking the American’s jaw in two places during their high-stakes clash in Miami.
The fight, which many critics argued was a dangerous mismatch in power and experience, ended in the sixth round. Joshua’s trademark Nigerian-born power proved too much for Paul, who was dropped repeatedly before the referee waved off the contest as the YouTuber struggled to beat the count.
The physical toll of facing a rejuvenated Joshua became evident immediately. Paul was rushed for medical attention, missing the post-fight press conference to undergo emergency surgery. Taking to Instagram to update his millions of followers, Paul shared an X-ray revealing a double fracture along his jawline.
“Surgery went well, thanks for all the love and support,” Paul shared from his hospital bed. “Have to have only liquids for seven days.”
The medical procedure involved fitting two titanium plates to stabilize his jaw and the removal of several teeth dislodged by Joshua’s relentless right hand. Despite the agony, Paul maintained his signature bravado, joking on social media that he could still fight Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez “in 10 days.”
For Anthony Joshua, the victory serves as a dominant statement. Exactly one year after his celebrated “Detty December” trip to Nigeria, the heavyweight looked sharper and more focused than in recent outings. He utilized his reach and weight advantage to stalk Paul, landing the decisive blows in the fifth and sixth rounds that shattered the influencer’s defense and his jaw.
The fight had faced significant pre-match scrutiny due to Paul’s natural cruiserweight frame compared to Joshua’s massive heavyweight stature. While Paul attempted to use speed and lateral movement to stay out of range, he eventually succumbed to the sustained pressure of a world-class athlete.
The defeat has prompted a moment of uncharacteristic reflection for Jake Paul. After six years of a whirlwind boxing career, he confirmed he will be stepping away from the ring temporarily to heal and reassess his trajectory.
“We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight. I’m going for the cruiserweight world title,” Paul stated. Despite the loss, he remains a figure of interest in the WBA rankings, though he slipped one spot following this defeat. A return to his natural weight class is expected in 2026.