By Harshit
MIAMI, DECEMBER 19, 2025, 11:56
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua delivered drama early — though not always the kind boxing purists crave.
Through four rounds at Miami’s Kaseya Center, the bout has been defined less by clean power shots and more by movement, missed connections, repeated clinches, and a series of slips that drew boos and visible frustration from the crowd.
Scheduled for eight three-minute rounds, the professionally sanctioned heavyweight contest has unfolded at an unexpectedly awkward pace.
Round 1: Caution and Unease
Paul opened the fight immediately on the back foot, circling the perimeter of the ring and rarely setting his feet. Joshua stalked patiently, flicking jabs and testing range, but neither fighter committed to sustained offense.
The size disparity was evident, with Joshua towering over Paul, yet meaningful punches were scarce. A brief tangle sent both fighters to the canvas in a heap, further setting the tone for an uneasy opening round that ended with crowd restlessness rather than fireworks.
Round 2: Movement Over Momentum
Paul continued to rely on lateral movement, skirting the ropes and occasionally showboating — at one point dropping his hands and mugging toward the corner. Joshua struggled to cut off the ring, missing with a few big right hands as Paul circled away.
While Paul avoided damage, he offered little offense, landing few jabs and initiating clinches whenever Joshua closed distance. The fans’ impatience grew as Joshua’s power remained largely neutralized.
Round 3: Joshua Slows, Paul Survives
By the third round, Joshua appeared slower, missing with looping right hands as Paul slipped and clinched. Paul managed to land a right uppercut in close during one clinch, one of his cleaner moments so far.
Still, Paul’s output remained minimal, and Joshua failed to capitalize on his size and reach advantage. The fight began to take on a scrappy, stop-start rhythm rather than a heavyweight flow.
Round 4: Chaos and Controversy
The fourth round was the most eventful — and chaotic — of the fight to this point.
Joshua snapped Paul’s head back with a jab early, prompting Paul to drop to his knees as the crowd voiced its displeasure. Moments later, Paul landed a solid right hand followed by a jab, but again ended up on his knees when rushing into Joshua.
As the round progressed, Paul slipped repeatedly — three times in total — drawing warnings from the referee. After another fall following a right uppercut attempt, Paul claimed he was struck by a low blow and was granted a brief pause by the official. The contact appeared to come from Joshua’s knee as Paul lost balance.
When action resumed, Paul threw a jab, attempted what looked like a rugby-style tackle, and slipped yet again. The referee admonished both fighters, though it was Paul’s inability to stay upright that dominated the sequence.
Despite the awkwardness, Paul appeared to be edging the round on activity and ring control, even as the spectacle bordered on farce.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Through four rounds:
- Paul has prioritized survival, movement, and clinching over offense.
- Joshua has struggled to impose his size, power, and experience.
- Clean punches have been rare, and momentum remains elusive.
The crowd’s reaction suggests growing impatience, but the tactical battle — however messy — has kept intrigue alive. With half the fight still to go, the question is whether Joshua can finally corner Paul and unleash sustained power, or whether Paul’s evasive approach will continue to disrupt the former champion’s rhythm.
Either way, this heavyweight experiment has already proven one thing: it is anything but conventional.