While it took a little longer than expected, the former heavyweight champion of the world did what was expected, knocking out Paul in six rounds.
Jake Paul’s broken jaw, explained: How Anthony Joshua injured opponent before scoring a KO victory originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While it took longer than many expected, Friday night’s “Judgment Day” in Miami ended exactly as the boxing world anticipated: Anthony Joshua delivered a devastating knockout of Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion closed the fight at 1:31 of the sixth round, landing a final, brutal right hand that sent the social media star crashing to the canvas for the second time in the round, ending Paul’s consciousness and his undefeated streak.
Joshua methodically dismantled a surprisingly resilient and elusive Paul, proving that elite boxing pedigree ultimately prevails over crossover hype at the highest levels of the sport. The knockout was so decisive that Paul later revealed his jaw had been broken by the concussive blow.
MORE: Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in sixth round
Jake Paul knockout video
Joshua finally got to Paul in the sixth round, delivering the crushing knockout blow.
JAKE PAUL KO COURTESY OF ANTHONY JOSHUA 🥊🥊
— @Sports is watching Jake vs Joshua LIVE on Netflix (@Sports) December 20, 2025
LIVE only on @netflix | #JakeJoshuapic.twitter.com/wjyyBn3NdN
After the fight, Paul — who took his fair share of shots throughout the night — told Ariel Helwani that Joshua broke his jaw.
Jake Paul after getting KOd by Anthony Joshua: "I think my jaw is broken." 😭 #JakeJoshuapic.twitter.com/gVexEqR4sq
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) December 20, 2025
"I think my jaw is broken by the way," Paul said as he spat out blood. "It's definitely broke. But man, that was good. A nice little ass-whooping from one of the best to ever do it ... I'm going to come back and get a world championship belt at some point."
MORE: Paul vs. Joshua full card results
How long does it take to recover from a broken jaw?
The broken jaw that Paul sustained from the knockout blow by Joshua will significantly impact his return timeline, as jaw fractures require extensive rest and a controlled healing process.
😳 🩸 Jake Paul shows his broken jaw
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 20, 2025
from Anthony Joshua fight.
🎥 @jakepaulpic.twitter.com/jiSIoVvEMz
In general, most jaw fractures heal within six to eight weeks, allowing the bone to fuse adequately. However, a full return to normal activity — especially for a contact athlete like a boxer — takes longer.
To safely handle the high-impact stress of sparring and competition, medical professionals typically recommend waiting four to six months for complete structural strengthening and healing. While initial healing occurs relatively quickly, a conservative return to competitive boxing is realistically projected to take at least six months.
MORE: Celebrities who showed up for Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
What's next for Jake Paul?
In his post-fight interview, Jake Paul stated he is ready to take a break after six years of fighting. This aligns with the necessity of healing an injury; the alleged broken jaw he sustained will force him out of the ring for an estimated four to six months for proper bone and structural recovery.
Jake Paul after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua 😳 pic.twitter.com/XRel65fTId
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2025
Despite the defeat, Paul reaffirmed his primary goal, saying, "I'm going to come back and get a world championship belt at some point." This ambition suggests he will return to the Cruiserweight division, where he has primarily competed and where he is currently ranked, rather than continuing to campaign at the heavyweight limit he faced against Joshua.
May very well be the exact moment where Jake Paul's jaw was broken by Anthony Joshua 😮💨
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) December 20, 2025
(📸 via Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/620Z6JXwrv
As this was a professional knockout loss, the Florida Athletic Commission will impose a mandatory minimum rest period, which is at least seven days, but for a knockout, it is often a 60-day medical suspension or longer, depending on the severity of the blow.
Once he is fully recovered and cleared, his options include facing a Cruiserweight contender or doing crossover fights similar to what he's done in the past.
Category: General Sports
