Social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul has built a polarizing presence in the combat sports world, but his latest gamble proved costly. Paul stepped into the ring against Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a Netflix main-event bout Friday night, only to suffer a decisive knockout loss that reportedly left him with a broken jaw.
NFL Legends React to Jake Paul’s Loss
Paul suffered the second defeat of his boxing career, and the first knockout loss, after being stopped by Joshua in the sixth round of their Netflix main-event bout. Paul was knocked down four times before a decisive right hand in Round 6 left him bloodied and resulted in a broken jaw.
Despite the brutal ending, the performance still earned some respect, considering Paul was facing a two-time former unified heavyweight champion while giving up a significant size advantage. Joshua outweighed Paul by 26.8 pounds, a gap that many observers believed proved decisive as the fight wore on.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III was among those who weighed in, issuing a clear warning about the dangers of such matchups.
“Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the 6th round. Broke his jaw with a powerful right hand. There are weight divisions in boxing for a reason and once you are in the ring you don’t play boxing,” he wrote.
Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the 6th round. Broke his jaw with a powerful right hand. There are weight divisions in boxing for a reason and once you are in the ring you don’t play boxing.
pic.twitter.com/7cva7I5jGD— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 20, 2025
Paul was originally scheduled to face lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a Nov. 14 exhibition bout at a 195-pound catchweight, but that fight was canceled. Rather than sitting out, Paul opted to take on Joshua at a far heavier weight, a decision that drew both criticism and praise.
Former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant applauded Paul’s willingness to chase his ambitions, regardless of the outcome.
“One thing I can honestly say about Jake Paul..he’s living out his dream! Win or lose, I respect your approach,” Bryant wrote.
Former two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy was equally impressed. “Bra I can’t believe Jake Paul went thru wit it .. big respect to HIM,” he wrote.
Bra I can’t believe Jake Paul went thru wit it .. big respect to HIM
— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) December 20, 2025
Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill also chimed in with a lighthearted reaction during the fight.
“Jake Paul box like I do on undisputed, throwing that overhand right,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson focused on the technical mismatch, arguing that Paul was simply out of his depth against a fighter of Joshua’s caliber, especially at heavyweight.
“What we saw this night from Jake Paul, they are training with nothing like that. Nothing he did in that ring was taught by the trainers he has. But once you get into that ring with that kind of fighter, you are overwhelmed..you are breathing heavy in the first round…you can’t move like that,” Ocho said.
Credit to Jake Paul for trying. But Unc and Ocho explain why Anthony Joshua was the wrong opponent from the jump @ShannonSharpe @ochocinco #Nightcap #JakeJoshua pic.twitter.com/d1DgqPNdqh
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) December 20, 2025
Johnson added that overcoming such a size and skill gap requires elite-level defense and experience.
“You have to be so confident and so skilled defensively to have that much of a height and weight difference…you got to be elite and he’s just not able to do it,” he added.
Sharpe echoed those sentiments, pointing to Paul’s lack of movement and speed, traits that are rare in the heavyweight division unless you’re a generational talent like Muhammad Ali.
With the loss, Paul’s professional record fell to 12–2. While questions swirl about what comes next for the influencer-turned-boxer, Paul offered no immediate answers, saying only that he plans to take a break for now.
