Following their high-stakes collision in Miami this past December, former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has finally broken his silence on the one question every boxing fan wanted to be answered: Does Jake Paul actually hit hard?
In a candid post-fight interview that has since gone viral, AJ didn’t lean into the hype. When asked for his honest verdict on "The Problem Child’s" punching power after six rounds in the ring together, Joshua delivered a clinical, three-word response: "It was alright."
The Reality Check at the Kaseya Center
The fight, which took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, saw Joshua eventually secure a brutal sixth-round knockout, but not before Paul surprised many by lasting into the latter half of the bout. While Paul landed several of his signature overhand rights—the same punch that famously dropped Tyron Woodley and Mike Tyson—Joshua remained unfazed.
The Verdict: Joshua admitted that while Paul has "spirit" and "heart," his power wasn't enough to trouble an elite-level heavyweight.
The Damage: While Paul couldn't hurt AJ, the reverse was certainly true. Joshua’s final right hand in the sixth round was so devastating it broke Paul’s jaw in two separate places, requiring the influencer to undergo surgery for the insertion of four titanium plates.
AJ’s Take: "He’s done really well tonight, and I want to give him his props," Joshua said. "But from a systematical breakdown, it took a bit longer than expected to find the destination."
By the Numbers: Punch Stats Reveal the Gap
Despite Paul’s best efforts to "stay on his bike" and move laterally, the Compubox numbers from the Miami showdown tell the story of a significant class difference.
| Statistic | Jake Paul | Anthony Joshua |
| Total Punches Landed | 16 | 48 |
| Power Punches Landed | 9 | 34 |
| Knockdowns Scored | 0 | 4 |
| Accuracy % | 28.6% | 33% |
In the final round, the statistics were even more lopsided: Paul failed to land a single glove on Joshua, while AJ landed 8 power shots before the referee waved the contest off.
"I Got My Ass Beat": Paul’s Respectful Response
To his credit, Jake Paul was realistic about the result from his hospital bed. Admitting that Joshua is "massive" and "imposing," Paul acknowledged that the sheer physical mismatch was too much to overcome.
"Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my ass beat. That’s what this sport is about... Jaw broken, heart and balls intact." — Jake Paul via social media.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
Anthony Joshua: The win has reignited calls for the "Battle of Britain." AJ immediately used his post-fight platform to call out Tyson Fury, telling "The Gypsy King" to put down the "Twitter fingers" and step into the ring for a massive 2026 showdown.
Jake Paul: After recovering from his broken jaw, Paul has stated he plans to abandon the heavyweight experiment and return to the Cruiserweight division, where he still hopes to challenge for a world title.