Anthony Joshua victorious over Jake Paul but admits performance was lacking
Anthony Joshua has opened up following his victory over Jake Paul, with the Briton admitting that he didn’t produce anywhere near the best performance of his career, reports BritPanorama.
The 36-year-old, participating in his first boxing match since September 2024, managed to secure a victory via knockout in the sixth round.
Despite ultimately winning, Joshua appeared slow and sluggish during the early rounds. Paul tried to tire out his opponent and even landed some notable punches in the initial stages of the contest. However, Joshua’s intensity rose as the fight progressed, culminating in a decisive knockout blow in the sixth round, after having previously floored Paul on two occasions.
Speaking in the ring after the bout, Joshua acknowledged that he wasn’t at his best after a lengthy absence of 15 months. Nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction with the victory and demonstrated sportsmanship by praising Paul for his performance. “First of all, I wanna give love to the crowd,” he stated.
“It wasn’t the best performance. The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down, hurt him – that has been the request leading up,” Joshua noted. “It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found its destination.” He further commended Paul, stating, “Jake Paul has done really well tonight. I wanna give him his props; it takes a real man to do that.”
Despite concerns about Joshua’s condition, given the fight’s duration, he remains undeterred by criticism. He stated, “I refuse to get hurt, I refuse to acknowledge getting hurt. There is no hurt in me,” discounting any doubts surrounding his capabilities following the performance. Promoter Eddie Hearn also joined the conversation, reiterating the ambition for a future fight with Tyson Fury, highlighting a desire for high-profile bouts moving forward.
As both fighters move on from the match, the question remains whether Joshua can recapture the form that once made him a dominant force in heavyweight boxing. The storyline unfolding will be watched closely, as the sport frequently offers twists, showcasing how quickly public perception can shift with each match.
