Jake Paul Hospitalised With Suspected Broken Jaw After Joshua Defeat

Jake Paul was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw after being stopped by former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in their bout in Miami, bringing an abrupt end to one of the most unusual high-profile fights in recent boxing memory.

Paul, 28, was knocked down multiple times before the contest was halted in the sixth round. He later said he believed his jaw had been broken and did not attend the post-fight news conference. His promotional company confirmed he had gone to hospital for medical assessment.

The fight, which paired a social media star with one of Britain’s most decorated heavyweights, had drawn intense scrutiny in the build-up and renewed debate about mismatches in modern boxing.

Fight ends after repeated knockdowns

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, asserted control as the bout progressed, repeatedly breaking through Paul’s defenses. The American was dropped twice in the fifth round and again early in the sixth, failing to beat the referee’s count after sustained pressure.

Speaking shortly after the fight, Paul said he was convinced he had suffered a serious jaw injury. His absence from media duties was later explained by his team.

Nakisa Bidarian, chief executive of Paul’s promotional company Most Valuable Promotions, said Paul had gone to hospital as a precaution.

“We think he broke his jaw, but he’s fine,” Bidarian said. “He took a shower and drove himself to hospital. A broken jaw is very common in combat sports. The recovery time is usually four to six weeks.”

A bout that drew controversy

The fight was widely criticised before the opening bell because of the disparity in experience and natural fighting weight between the two men. Joshua, an Olympic gold medallist and former unified heavyweight champion, entered with more than a decade of elite professional experience.

Paul, by contrast, has spent most of his boxing career campaigning at cruiserweight and below, building his profile through crossover fights and high-visibility events rather than traditional progression through the heavyweight ranks.

Despite those concerns, the bout generated significant global attention, reflecting Paul’s ability to draw audiences beyond boxing’s core fanbase. Supporters argued that he had earned the right to test himself at the highest level, while critics questioned the competitive balance and safety implications.

Paul signals a pause from boxing

In his brief post-fight remarks, Paul indicated that he would step away from the ring for a period while recovering and reassessing his next move.

“We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight,” he said. “I’m going for the cruiserweight world title. I’m going to take a little break. I’ve been going hard for six years.”

The comments suggest a return to cruiserweight, the division in which Paul has spent most of his professional career and where he has spoken openly about pursuing a recognised world title.

Before agreeing to face Joshua, Paul had been campaigning in that weight class, and the World Boxing Association announced earlier this year that he would be included in its cruiserweight rankings. He has since slipped one place, but remains within the lower end of the top 15.

An unconventional boxing journey

Paul’s boxing career has defied conventional patterns. Since turning professional, he has alternated between fights against fellow influencers, former mixed martial artists, and established boxers, often in events that blend sporting competition with entertainment spectacle.

The Joshua fight was seen by many as the most serious test of his credentials to date. While the result was decisive, some analysts noted that Paul’s willingness to step into the ring with a heavyweight of Joshua’s pedigree marked another unexpected chapter in a career built on unpredictability.

His promoter described the bout as part of a longer-term plan rather than an end point, though Paul himself acknowledged the need to recalibrate.

Possible paths forward

Assuming medical clearance, Paul would not be expected to return to training for several weeks. Any future plans will depend on the outcome of medical assessments and regulatory approval to compete again.

A return to cruiserweight appears the most straightforward option if Paul remains committed to chasing a world title. Among the names being discussed in boxing circles are established contenders and emerging fighters who could offer both credibility and commercial appeal.

Paul has also repeatedly expressed interest in facing some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Mexican champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, though such a bout would require complex negotiations and agreement across weight divisions.

A rematch with Tommy Fury, who handed Paul his first professional defeat, remains another unresolved storyline. That loss continues to stand as the only other blemish on Paul’s record.

Joshua’s night, Paul’s reckoning

For Joshua, the victory reinforced his status as a dominant heavyweight presence and provided a decisive answer to questions about the fight’s competitiveness. He largely avoided post-fight controversy, focusing instead on his performance and the outcome in the ring.

For Paul, the defeat marks a moment of reckoning after years of rapid ascent and self-promotion. While his ambitions remain undimmed, the physical toll of facing elite opposition was clear.

As Paul recovers, the broader debate about crossover fights, mismatches, and the evolving boundaries of professional boxing is likely to continue. For now, the immediate concern is his health, with his team insisting that the suspected injury is manageable and that a full recovery is expected.