Paul vows to avoid heavyweights after Joshua broke jaw

Jake Paul has announced he plans to steer clear of competing against heavyweights following his shocking loss to Anthony Joshua, which left him with a fractured jaw requiring extensive medical treatment. The fight took place at the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19, where Paul was knocked out in the sixth round by the former two-time unified heavyweight champion. During the bout, Paul was dropped four times before the referee stepped in 1 minute and 31 seconds into the round. Paul, known for competing in the cruiserweight division, faced a significant disadvantage against Joshua, who weighed nearly 27 pounds more and stood five inches taller. Joshua, entering the fight as a heavy favorite, secured a decisive victory that marked his first win since defeating Francis Ngannou in February 2024. His win improved his professional record to 29 wins and four losses, with 26 of those victories coming by knockout. After the fight, Paul spoke on The Pat McAfee Show, expressing his decision to avoid future bouts against elite heavyweights. “I just probably will not fight Olympic gold medal heavyweights anymore,” he stated. “I learned my lesson. I am definitely still fighting. I am getting back to it, keep on fighting, maybe do some MMA.” Paul confirmed via Instagram that his jaw was fractured in two places, necessitating surgical intervention involving titanium plates and the removal of several teeth. He spent several months recovering, with doctors monitoring the healing process before allowing him to resume training. Paul has since indicated he is preparing to return to full-contact training and has begun discussions regarding potential opponents for a potential transition into mixed martial arts. Among the names mentioned were Nate Diaz, with whom Paul has long discussed a potential matchup. “We have been trying to make the Nate Diaz MMA fight happen for a long time. I think it is still on the table, so we will see what happens in the next year or two,” he said. Paul also suggested the possibility of facing former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, citing Lesnar's amateur wrestling background, and hinted at a potential boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. While Paul has ruled out returning to the heavyweight division, he has not entirely dismissed the idea of a boxing rematch. However, he has expressed interest in expanding his career beyond boxing, indicating a shift toward mixed martial arts. This marks a notable change in direction for the YouTuber-turned-boxer, who previously focused primarily on boxing. Joshua's victory over Paul has reignited speculation about a potential showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury. Although Fury has been retired since suffering consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, the prospect of such a matchup continues to generate interest within the boxing community. For now, however, both fighters remain focused on their respective paths forward.