Derek Chisora was one of those observers who said there would be serious questions to be asked if Anthony Joshua did not stop Jake Paul within six minutes. In the end, he took six rounds.
Paul was on a survival mission from the first bell of the controversial main event, which was scheduled for eight rounds. He managed to make the former two-time heavyweight world champion miss on occasion, and employed a frustrating clinching tactic that saw him warned by the referee.
When fatigue set in, Joshua was quick to take advantage. He dropped the American four times in total, the final blow being a pinpoint right hand that not only ended the contest, but broke Paul’s jaw in two places.
Despite the brutal finish, some in the sport are still criticising ‘AJ’ for failing to close the distance quicker. That does not include Chisora, who has gone back on his original prediction after seeing Paul not engaging in a 22×22 foot ring. Speaking to Seconds Out, he said ‘it was about time’ the 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-fighter had his jaw broken.
“It’s about time. AJ did what he had to do then. Forget about everything else. I was one of the people saying if it goes past one or two rounds we have to ask [questions]. But, you know what, the ring was too f—ing big … Jake didn’t want to fight, he was trying to wrestle AJ. AJ said it right the way – I’m gonna drain your soul and after that I’m gonna knock you out … He broke just f—ing jaw.”
Joshua now moves into 2026 with Tyson Fury on his mind, however may take an interim fight in February. As for Paul, he has confirmed he will fight on at his more natural cruiserweight limit, though how he recovers from this serious injury remains to be seen.
