Anthony Joshua proves class against Jake Paul in US showdown

Anthony Joshua delivered a commanding performance in the United States on Saturday morning, stopping YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to secure his first professional boxing victory on American soil.

The former two-time heavyweight world champion dominated proceedings from start to finish before eventually forcing a stoppage, extending his professional record to 29 wins and four defeats, with 26 of those victories coming by knockout.

Although the contest lasted longer than many had predicted, Joshua said after the fight that patience was central to his game plan, admitting it was not his sharpest outing but insisting the objective was always to break Paul down systematically.

“It wasn’t the best performance. The end goal was to pin Jake Paul down and hurt him. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination,” Joshua said.

Despite the decisive nature of the victory, Joshua was quick to acknowledge Paul’s bravery and resilience in the ring, praising him for repeatedly getting back to his feet.

“Jake Paul has done really well tonight. He got up time and time again. It takes a real man to do that. You have to give him credit for trying, but he came up against a real fighter,” he added.

Paul also received support from fellow British boxer Chris Eubank Jr, who commended him for stepping into the ring against an Olympic gold medallist and former heavyweight champion.

“You have to give him his respect now. He’s done what most would never and he didn’t give up,” Eubank Jr wrote on X.

Joshua dismissed suggestions that he was frustrated the bout did not end earlier, insisting that his approach was calculated and deliberate.

“I needed to give this guy a systematic breakdown. Some people are just there to get knocked out,” he said, adding that Paul never seriously troubled him at any point during the fight.

Looking ahead, Joshua played down discussions about legacy and instead turned his attention to a potential blockbuster clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury.

“I don’t care about the legacy. This is what I do, I’ll do it till I can’t anymore,” Joshua said.

“If Tyson Fury is as serious as he says he is, put down the Twitter fingers, put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there.”

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