Anthony Joshua had a pretty easy night’s work in knocking out Jake Paul on Friday night, and clearly that was the plan all along.
Not many heavyweight boxers go into ‘a big fight’ with a plan to be out again just eight weeks later, but that was apparently what the two-time world heavyweight champion was hoping to do.
Joshua (now 29-4 with 26 wins inside distance) eventually disposed of ‘The Problem Child’ after a hugely frustrating bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami, one which saw Paul basically running for the first four rounds. No wonder the crowd were left to boo in disgust.
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Eventually AJ did catch up with the tiring Paul and delivered the killer blow in Round 6, a right hand which apparently broke Jake’s jaw.
Joshua next fight
As the dust settled on what was ultimately a very disappointing night for the sport of boxing, all thoughts turned swiftly to what comes next for Joshua as the 36-year-old Watford man plots his next move.
Reports suggest AJ has a two-fight deal with Saudi Arabia planned for 2026, worth north of a reported £100million. The second of those fights will likely be that long-awaited British blockbuster vs Tyson Fury. Potentially at Wembley Stadium in September.
Before that though the plan is for AJ to be out again soon, very soon in fact. Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the working date in an interview with Fight Hub TV. He also admitted that the date could now be in doubt.
Hearn said: “Listen, there was a few niggles at the end so I’m not sure if February [14] will be realistic – it’s only eight weeks tonight. We’ve got to go and see the doctor and see what’s what.
“But February/March time we’ll be back and then the plan is Tyson Fury.”
Hearn on Jake Paul
While the fight against Jake frustrated many experts watching ringside and around the world on TV, Hearn was lavish in his praise for what Paul was able to accomplish. Even if it was mere survival for the first five rounds.
He added: “Good fight, listen, respect to Jake, he was a tough guy in there. Obviously he moved a lot and made it difficult for AJ and AJ’s been out the ring for a while and he was a bit rusty. It took him time to just get hold of him but I was impressed with Jake.
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“And listen, as I said to Nakisa [Bidarian], he took shots that a lot of people would have got knocked clean out by, especially at the end.”
“When someone’s moving like that, it’s gonna take you a while to get hold of them – when they’re rugby tackling you. But he had to do what he had to do to survive. And he did that.”
