Jake Paul's recent boxing match against Anthony Joshua was a harsh lesson in the sweet science, but it's not stopping him from eyeing his next opponent. Paul faced a significant challenge in the ring, going up against the Olympic gold medalist and former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua. The outcome wasn't favorable for Paul, who was considerably smaller than Joshua.
Paul's strategy in the early rounds involved minimizing engagement and wrestling, but the fight ended abruptly in the sixth round. Joshua delivered a brutal right hand, resulting in a knockout and a broken jaw for Paul. Despite the loss, Paul maintains a surprisingly positive outlook.
"I learned a lot in there," Paul remarked during an interview on the IMPAULSIVE podcast with his brother, Logan Paul. He humorously acknowledged the difficulty of the match, even suggesting he won a couple of rounds. However, he attributed his loss to factors like cardio, the mental pressure of fighting a larger opponent, and the impact of Joshua's power.
But here's where it gets controversial... The fight's circumstances are worth noting. Paul was originally scheduled to face lightweight Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout, but that match was canceled. This led to a shift in opponents, from a lightweight to a former heavyweight champion, without adequate preparation.
Paul admitted that the mental aspect, the size difference, and the impact of Joshua's shots played a significant role in his defeat. He expressed regret for not having more time to prepare and for not training at a higher altitude to improve his cardio.
"I wish I had more than three weeks to prepare, to maybe put on some more muscle to be able to sit there and hit him. And I should have gone to altitude to train. That was my biggest mistake," Paul confessed.
And this is the part most people miss... Paul did manage to achieve one of his pre-fight goals: lasting longer than former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who was knocked out by Joshua in the second round earlier in 2024.
Paul didn't hold back in his assessment of Ngannou, stating, "I told everyone that I would do better than Francis, and that Francis kinda got no chin. Francis is low-key soft."
Following the cancellation of the Davis fight, Ngannou was approached about a potential bout with Paul. However, Ngannou declined the offer. This has led Paul to express interest in a fight with Ngannou, potentially seeking to settle the score in the ring.
"I'll fight Francis," Paul said. "That's a good idea, actually. I think maybe now he'll take it, and be like, ‘Oh, shit.’"
What do you think about Paul's performance and his potential next move? Do you agree with his assessment of Ngannou? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
