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On December 19, the boxing world all stopped to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul live on Netflix from the Kaseya Center in Miami. It was a buildup that captured the attention of the boxing and the wider sporting public. Many speculated what Joshua had left, and whether Paul could handle the Brit’s power.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion’s timing appeared off in the opening round, which wasn’t unexpected after 15 months out of the ring. Paul refused to engage from the first bell and looked intent on just surviving. This tactic ensured Paul made it to the sixth round before Joshua landed a big right hand, giving Paul a double broken jaw, leaving him unable to beat the referee’s count.
Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren has spoken to The Stomping Ground, issuing a staunch challenge to Joshua to face Moses Itauma or Fabio Wardley.
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul – the aftermath
Following Joshua’s knockout win, he and Paul have been praised and criticised. Reflecting on the fight, Paul should be praised for lasting six rounds, but the criticism is fair due to his unwillingness to engage throughout.
Joshua got the KO win, but his timing was off, and he looked tentative, especially in the early rounds. Whether Paul takes on another challenge like this remains to be seen, and whether AJ can challenge for a world title again feels like an unanswered question.
Anthony Joshua challenged by Frank Warren
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Warren delivered a firm challenge to Anthony Joshua:
“If he really wants to fight, fight Moses, fight Moses now. Fight Fabio Wardley now. Fight Fabio Wardley. Do it tomorrow. Sign it tomorrow. If he says yes, I’ll go round his house. I’ll go round there right now. Christmas Day, I’ll go round there, and we’ll get the deal done.
“Of course I’ll do it. Why wouldn’t you do it? You want to fight for the world title? Fight Fabio Wardley. In the meantime, if you’re not, you want to wait for Tyson, wait for Tyson. All these people keep saying he needs these things to get back in there, to get back for a world title. No, he’s not a spring chicken, is he? Been around. He’s a two-time world champion. Jump back in. There you go. Fabio Wardley, another guy who’s had no amateur experience. Let me tell you what it is.
“What he doesn’t need to do, AJ, is fight anyone who can punch because there won’t be a fight with Tyson,” said Warren.
