Anthony Joshua Praises Jake Paul’s Grit After Brutal Miami Showdown

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has commended YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul for his resilience and courage following their highly talked-about clash in Miami on Friday night.

The bout, which many expected to be one-sided, saw Paul adopt a cautious, survival-first approach in the early rounds, staying well out of Joshua’s reach and refusing to engage in open exchanges. The 28-year-old American focused on movement and defence, determined to avoid Joshua’s trademark power.

However, once Joshua managed to close the distance, the tone of the fight shifted. The British heavyweight began to land heavy shots, eventually breaking through Paul’s resistance. Despite being knocked down multiple times and suffering a fractured jaw, Paul showed remarkable toughness, lasting six rounds against the seasoned champion.

Speaking after the fight, Joshua admitted he was not at his sharpest but insisted his objective was clear.

“It wasn’t the best performance,” Joshua said via Metro UK.
“The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request leading up. That was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination. Jake Paul – he’s done really well tonight. I want to give him his props. He got up time and time again. It takes a real man to do that.”

Opinion: Respect Earned the Hard Way

While critics may continue to question Jake Paul’s place in elite boxing, this fight undoubtedly earned him a measure of respect. Standing toe-to-toe with a two-time world champion — and surviving six punishing rounds — is no small feat, regardless of how the fight began.

Joshua’s public praise also speaks volumes. In a sport where respect is rarely handed out cheaply, acknowledging Paul’s grit highlights how far the American has come from his YouTube beginnings. For Paul, the loss may hurt physically, but the performance strengthens his credibility as a serious boxer.

For Joshua, the fight was less about flair and more about business. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And in boxing, sometimes heart and survival can be just as compelling as knockouts.