In a recent interview, Anthony Joshua, the renowned English boxer and Olympic gold medalist, shed light on his encounter with Jake Paul. Speaking on the Mr. Verzace Podcast, Joshua revealed that he had been tasked with a specific mission: to remove Paul from the sport of boxing.
The revelation came as Joshua recounted his six-round victory over Paul in December. The fight, which saw Joshua emerge triumphant with a knockout in the final round, was a significant moment in both athletes’ careers. Joshua’s comments have sparked discussions about the future of Paul’s boxing endeavors and the broader implications for the sport.
The Mission to Remove Jake Paul
Joshua’s remarks on the podcast were straightforward. He mentioned receiving a strict message to eliminate Paul from boxing. ‘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, remove him from our beloved sport, which is boxing,’ Joshua stated with a smile. He further emphasized that regardless of the number of rounds it took, he believed the job was well and truly done.
The fight itself was a notable event in the boxing world. Paul, typically a cruiserweight, stepped into the ring against Joshua, the heavyweight champion. The mismatch was evident, and Joshua’s power punches left Paul with a broken jaw, ending the fight in the sixth round. Images of Paul smiling and sticking his tongue out in the ring contrasted sharply with his post-fight demeanor, as he suffered the consequences of Joshua’s formidable strength.
The Aftermath of the Fight
In the wake of the December match, Paul faced significant physical repercussions. He required jaw surgery and has since put his return to boxing on hold. There is speculation that Paul may not fight at all in 2026 due to his injury. However, the fight did secure a substantial payday for Paul and his combat sports promotion, MVP.
MVP has been expanding its reach into mixed martial arts (MMA), with a debut card featuring notable figures like Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano just three weeks ago. This diversification suggests that while Joshua may have pushed Paul out of boxing for now, Paul’s career in combat sports is far from over.
The Broader Implications
The question remains: who gave Joshua the orders to end Paul’s boxing career? Joshua’s comments have led to speculation about the source of this directive. Some suggest it could be a reflection of the sentiments within the hardcore boxing fan community, which has been critical of Paul’s entry into the sport.
Joshua’s victory over Paul is not his first notable achievement in the ring. Last year, he ended the career of former MMA champion Francis Ngannou with a brutal first-round knockout. These victories have solidified Joshua’s reputation as a formidable force in the world of combat sports.
As the boxing world continues to evolve, the encounter between Joshua and Paul serves as a reminder of the sport’s competitive nature and the high stakes involved. Whether Paul returns to boxing or focuses on other combat sports, the impact of Joshua’s victory will be felt for some time.
