YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul confirmed on December 20, 2025, that he underwent successful surgery for a double fractured jaw sustained during his heavyweight bout against former two-time unified champion Anthony Joshua. The highly anticipated fight, streamed live globally on Netflix, took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and ended in a sixth-round knockout victory for Joshua.
Paul, who entered the ring with a 12-1 professional record, lasted longer than many pundits predicted against the seasoned Joshua (now 29-4, 26 KOs). The 28-year-old employed evasive tactics in the early rounds, circling the ring and avoiding direct exchanges to frustrate the 36-year-old Briton. However, Joshua began landing heavy shots in the fourth round, dropping Paul twice in the fifth with powerful combinations. In the sixth, Joshua floored Paul twice more before a devastating right uppercut and follow-up punches prompted referee Christopher Young to wave off the contest at 1:31, handing Paul his second career defeat.
Immediately after the stoppage, Paul indicated in a post-fight interview that he suspected a jaw injury, spitting blood and skipping the post-fight press conference. His business partner, Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions, later revealed that Paul showered and drove himself to a hospital for evaluation. An X-ray shared by Paul on social media confirmed fractures in two places on his jaw.
On Saturday morning, Paul posted updates from the hospital: "Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth. Lots of pain and stiffness. I have to eat liquids for seven days. Two titanium plates on each side. Some teeth removed." He thanked supporters and the medical staff, adding a humorous note about challenging Canelo Alvarez "in 10 days," despite the expected four-to-six-week recovery period common for such injuries in combat sports.
The bout, billed as "Judgment Day" and promoted as an eight-round professional heavyweight contest, drew massive viewership on Netflix, continuing the platform's foray into live boxing events following Paul's previous record-breaking fight against Mike Tyson. While criticized by some purists as a mismatch due to Joshua's elite experience and significant size advantage (Joshua weighed in at around 243 pounds compared to Paul's 216), the event highlighted Paul's resilience, as he repeatedly rose from knockdowns before the finish.
Joshua, rebounding from a 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, admitted post-fight that the performance "wasn't the best" and took longer than anticipated, but praised Paul's heart: "Jake did well tonight; he got up time and again." The victory positions Joshua for potential high-profile matchups, including a long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury in 2026.
Paul, undeterred despite the setback, vowed to return: "We’re going to heal the broken jaw, fight someone my weight and go for the cruiserweight world title." His promoter emphasized the injury's commonality in boxing and MMA, expressing optimism for a comeback.
The fight underscored ongoing debates in boxing about crossover events blending entertainment and sport, with Paul's platform elevating visibility while facing scrutiny over opponent quality. Nonetheless, his durability against a top-tier heavyweight earned respect from figures across the industry.
As Paul begins recovery on a liquid diet over the holidays, Joshua celebrates renewed momentum, affirming pedigree's role in the heavyweight division.
