Anthony Joshua has revealed that he entered his blockbuster fight against Jake Paul with a clear objective that went beyond simply winning. The former heavyweight champion reflected on his dominant victory over Paul in Miami last December, stating that he had been given a 'strict message' ahead of the contest.
Joshua's Dominant Victory
Joshua delivered one of the most emphatic performances of his career at the Kaseya Center, knocking Paul down four times before stopping him in the sixth round. Streamed live on Netflix, the eight-round superfight shattered viewing records worldwide and became one of the most-watched boxing events in recent memory. Looking back on the bout, Joshua suggested there was a wider expectation surrounding his role that night.
The 'Strict Message' Revealed
Speaking to Ring Magazine and later discussing the fight on the Mr. Verzace Podcast, Joshua explained that he never viewed the contest as a routine assignment. 'I always say no matter if they move around and they run around, I'm that good I should be able to knock him out in a round, right?' Joshua said. 'It doesn't matter that he's running around. Some would say, "Well, just cut the ring off. Just do this, and that's what we should be doing." However, I knew that if I throw a barrage of punches in my mind and I go in there and the referee waves the fight off after 30 seconds or two to three rounds, I don't think it would have been satisfying.'
Joshua then revealed the instruction he says was hanging over the fight. 'There was a strict message that was given and a task that was laid upon me, and that was to get rid of Jake Paul and remove him from our beloved sport, which is boxing. Whether that took me one round, whether that took me six rounds, I believe the job was well and truly done. I definitely delivered.' Joshua did not specify who delivered the alleged 'message', though some observers have interpreted the remarks as reflecting frustrations among sections of the traditional boxing community regarding Paul's place in the sport.
A Fight That Ended in Brutal Fashion
Despite Paul's growing profile in boxing and a string of victories over former combat sports stars, the contest quickly turned into a one-sided affair. Joshua repeatedly hurt the American throughout the fight, dropping him four times before ending matters with a devastating sixth-round stoppage. Although Paul attempted to remain defiant, smiling and sticking out his tongue during exchanges, the damage inflicted by Joshua proved severe. The defeat left Paul with a fractured jaw that required surgery. Speaking to the New York Post last month, Paul revealed that his return to boxing had been delayed because of the injury and subsequent recovery process. The setback has been significant enough that he may not fight at all during 2026.
Did Joshua End Jake Paul's Boxing Career?
Joshua has never directly claimed responsibility for ending Paul's boxing career, but the question continues to follow the aftermath of the fight. Paul has not competed since the defeat and remains sidelined while recovering from surgery. Away from the ring, however, he has continued to focus on Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the company he co-founded. The promotion has expanded its presence in combat sports and recently entered the MMA market with a debut event featuring former stars Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. As a result, while Joshua may have halted Paul's momentum as a boxer, it would be difficult to argue that he has ended his broader involvement in combat sports. Joshua may also have another notable name on his list of casualties. Some observers have suggested he effectively ended Francis Ngannou's boxing ambitions after brutally knocking out the former UFC heavyweight champion in the first round of their fight last year.
Joshua's Focus Turns to Riyadh and Tyson Fury Showdown
While Paul's future remains uncertain, Joshua is preparing for his own return to action next month. The British star will face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 after agreeing a multi-fight deal with Saudi Arabia. Joshua has spent an extended period away from the ring after suffering injuries in a car accident that tragically claimed the lives of two of his closest friends. The bout against Prenga is widely viewed as a tune-up fight ahead of a much bigger challenge. Joshua and Tyson Fury are now expected to meet in what many regard as the biggest fight in British boxing history. Fury initially made advances toward Joshua following his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. Joshua rejected those approaches at the time, but contracts were later signed and all indications point towards a long-awaited showdown between the two rivals in 2026. For now, Joshua appears satisfied with the way his night against Paul unfolded, believing he accomplished exactly what was asked of him inside the ring.
