Joshua Secures Sixth-Round Victory Over Paul, Eyes 2026 Fury Clash
A labored sixth-round win over Jake Paul in Miami has done little to quell concerns about Anthony Joshua’s trajectory back to the top of the heavyweight division, though the former champion immediately set his sights on a potential 2026 showdown with Tyson Fury. The bout, held on Saturday, saw Joshua overcome a surprisingly resilient Paul, but raised questions about his ability to reclaim his former dominance.
A Frustrating Start for Joshua
Joshua, reportedly nearing an agreement for a highly anticipated fight against Fury in Riyadh in 2026, found himself in a surprisingly difficult contest against the YouTuber-turned-boxer. The opening rounds were marked by frustration for the British fighter, as he struggled to land a significant blow. Paul, despite his limited boxing experience, effectively utilized movement to evade Joshua’s power, circling the ropes and frustrating his opponent.
The 36-year-old Paul, returning to the ring after a 15-month absence following a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, proved a more elusive target than many predicted. While his offensive output remained minimal, his defensive strategy kept Joshua at bay. A missed overhand right from Joshua in the second round even elicited a taunting gesture from Paul, who poked his tongue out.
A Bizarre Interlude and Growing Agitation
The contest took a strange turn in the fourth round, with Paul repeatedly falling to the floor. The referee, Christopher Young, was forced to intervene, admonishing both fighters, stating, “the fans didn’t pay to see this crap.” This bizarre sequence did little to improve the mood at the Kaseya Center, as the crowd grew increasingly restless with the lack of compelling action.
Joshua Finds His Mark
Joshua finally began to assert his dominance in the fifth round, as Paul’s resistance began to crumble. A powerful left hand forced the first count of the fight, followed 30 seconds later by a right-left combination that sent Paul reeling again. Despite being almost two stone lighter, Paul displayed commendable heart, managing to survive the round.
The end came in the sixth round, as a sustained barrage from Joshua overwhelmed Paul, forcing him to crumble in the corner and prompting the referee to halt the contest. The fight, which drew criticism due to Paul’s previous opponents consisting largely of former UFC fighters and aging boxing veterans, ultimately concluded with Joshua securing the victory.
Fury Challenge Issued
Following the win, Joshua wasted no time in calling out Fury. “I can’t wait to roll into 2026,” Joshua stated. “If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there, that will take on any challenge, step in the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy. Don’t do all that talking, ‘AJ this, AJ that’, let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
The challenge sets the stage for a potential blockbuster clash between the two heavyweight stars, a fight fans have eagerly anticipated for years. Whether Fury will accept remains to be seen, but Joshua has made his intentions clear: he is ready to test himself against the very best.
