Jake Paul’s Road to Anthony Joshua: Can “The Problem Child” Pull Off the Impossible?
On December 19th, 2025, Jake Paul steps into the ring for the biggest challenge of his career: Anthony Joshua, a former unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. What began as a social media star’s experiment has evolved into a legitimate boxing run — complete with a professional record of 12-1 (7 KOs), a current WBA #14 cruiserweight ranking, and a string of increasingly significant wins.
Paul now faces a man who represents everything he has not yet encountered: elite pedigree, heavyweight power, and world-class experience. This showdown is equal parts fascinating and bizarre, and it raises one compelling question…
Can Jake Paul actually beat Anthony Joshua?
Jake Paul at a Glance
Jake Paul Career Snapshot
| Category | Data |
|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Record | 12-1 (7 KOs) |
| KO Percentage | 58% |
| Rounds Boxed | 70 |
| Height | 6’1” (185 cm) |
| Reach | 76” (193 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Pro Debut | January 2020 |
| Ranking | WBA #14 Cruiserweight |
Jake Paul is no longer just a YouTuber dabbling in boxing. On paper, he’s an active, ranked cruiserweight with a solid knockout ratio and a growing résumé.
From YouTube to Ranked Boxer: A Compressed Boxing Journey
Jake Paul debuted in 2020 with virtually no amateur background — something almost unheard of for a fighter reaching this level.
His early opposition:
- Fellow influencers
- A retired NBA player
- Ex-UFC champions and MMA stars
These fights drew massive attention but limited respect from boxing purists. The narrative began to shift after:
- Two wins over Tyron Woodley
- A decision win over Anderson Silva
- A competitive split-decision loss to Tommy Fury in 2023
That Fury defeat was key. It exposed flaws in Paul’s fundamentals — his jab, footwork, and defense — but it also became a turning point. Since then, Paul has treated boxing more like a career than a spectacle, tightening up his game and stepping toward more legitimate opposition.
Jake Paul’s Last Five Fights (Data Summary)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rounds |
|---|
| Jun 28, 2025 | Julio Cesar Chavez Jr | Win | UD | 10 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Mike Tyson | Win | UD | 8 |
| Jul 20, 2024 | Mike Perry | Win | TKO | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2024 | Ryan Bourland | Win | TKO | 1 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | Andre August | Win | KO | 1 |
- 5 straight wins, 3 by stoppage
- Average fight length in last 5 bouts: 5.2 rounds
- Most significant win: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (former world champion)
- Activity edge: roughly one fight every 4–5 months
The Chavez Jr performance stands out. Over 10 rounds, Paul controlled the fight with a disciplined jab, steady work rate and better conditioning. It was the first time he convincingly outboxed a veteran who’d held a major world title.
How Jake Paul Has Improved
Technical Growth
- Jab: No longer just a range finder; it sets up combinations and controls distance.
- Footwork & Balance: Less falling in, fewer wild lunges.
- Defense: Better head movement, tighter guard, improved awareness of counters.
Conditioning
- Can now comfortably handle 8–10 rounds at a reasonable tempo.
- Looks sharper late in fights than he did in his early career.
Composure
- Comfortable under bright lights and big crowds (Tyson, Chavez Jr, Diaz before that).
- Stays calm under pressure and sticks to a game plan more consistently.
Mentality
- Full-time fighter lifestyle: proper camps, high-level sparring, nutrition, and recovery.
- Treats boxing as a profession, not a side project.
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul: Tale of the Tape
Physical & Career Comparison
| Attribute | Jake Paul | Anthony Joshua |
|---|
| Record | 12-1 (7 KOs) | 28-4 (25 KOs) |
| Age | 28 | 36 |
| Height | 6’1” | 6’6” |
| Reach | 76” | 82” |
| Primary Weight | Cruiserweight | Heavyweight |
| KO Rate | 58% | 89% |
| Rounds Boxed | 70 | 167 |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| World Rankings | WBA #14 Cruiserweight | WBC #3, WBO #10 Heavyweight |
This table makes the challenge crystal clear:
- Joshua is taller, longer, heavier, and more experienced.
- His KO percentage is elite, especially for a heavyweight.
- He has faced and beaten multiple world-level heavyweights.
Jake Paul is jumping from fighting cruiserweights and ex-MMA stars to a seasoned, ranked heavyweight who has been on boxing’s biggest stages for a decade.
Strengths Jake Paul Brings Into the Joshua Fight
✔ Youth & Activity
- Paul is 8 years younger.
- He’s been the more active fighter over the last two years.
- Regular training camps keep him sharp and conditioned.
✔ Power
- At cruiserweight, Paul has legitimate stopping power.
- Seven KOs in 12 wins and several early finishes show he can hurt opponents if he lands clean.
Whether this power scales up against a true heavyweight like Joshua is the unknown — but Paul is confident it will.
✔ Confidence & Mental Toughness
- Paul has built his career on defying expectations.
- Comfortable in front of cameras and massive crowds.
- Doesn’t crumble after setbacks (e.g. rebounded strongly after the Fury loss).
✔ Momentum
- Paul comes in on a five-fight winning streak.
- Joshua, by contrast, is coming off a knockout loss and a long layoff.
Key Weaknesses Paul Must Overcome
✘ Size & Strength Disadvantage
- Height: 5 inches shorter
- Reach: 6 inches shorter
- Weight: Could be 20–30+ lbs lighter than Joshua on fight night.
This affects:
- Power exchanges
- Clinch positions
- Ability to fight at long range
✘ Lack of Top-Level Experience
- No amateur pedigree.
- Only 13 pro fights.
- Has never fought a top-10 heavyweight before Joshua.
Joshua, by contrast, has:
- World title fights
- Fights against top names
- Experience in 12-round wars and high-pressure situations
✘ Technical Gap
- Joshua owns a more polished jab, better shot selection, and superior ring generalship.
- Paul’s fundamentals, while improved, are still developing:
- Footwork can be a touch heavy.
- Occasional defensive lapses.
- Tendency to load up on the right hand.
✘ Heavyweight Power
- Paul has never been hit by a true elite heavyweight puncher.
- Joshua’s 89% KO rate speaks for itself.
- A single clean shot could change — or end — the fight.
What Jake Paul Must Do to Have Any Chance
1. Make It a Movement Fight
Paul cannot stand in front of Joshua and trade. He needs to:
- Use lateral movement and pivots.
- Stay off the ropes and out of the corners.
- Change angles and never be a static target.
Think “small heavyweight” tactics: lots of footwork, give-and-go entries, and quick exits.
2. Use the Jab as a Disruptor
Paul will not outjab Joshua, but:
- A busy jab can:
- Break Joshua’s rhythm.
- Force Joshua to reset.
- Set up Paul’s right hand and left hook.
Jabs to the body, in particular, could help slow Joshua down and make him think twice before stepping in.
3. Survive the First Three Rounds
The early rounds are the danger zone:
- Joshua is freshest and most explosive.
- He’ll be looking for a statement finish.
Paul’s priorities early:
- High, tight guard.
- Lots of movement.
- Clinch when necessary to break momentum.
- Absolutely no ego-driven brawls.
If Paul is hurt early, he must grab, move, and spoil. Pride cannot override survival.
4. Hunt for a Counter – Not a War
Realistically, Paul’s best shot at winning is a counterpunch knockdown or knockout:
- The overhand right over Joshua’s jab.
- A left hook as Joshua exits an exchange.
- Catching Joshua mid-combination when his chin is exposed.
Joshua has been hurt before. If Paul can time him once, the fight dynamic changes drastically.
But this has to be calculated risk, not reckless trading. Paul must choose his moments carefully.
5. Turn It Ugly When Needed
To limit Joshua’s leverage and power:
- Initiate clinches after landing.
- Push Joshua off balance.
- Make him reset constantly.
- Force him into a messy, uncomfortable rhythm.
An ugly, stop-start fight favors the underdog more than a clean, long-range boxing match.
6. Drag the Fight into Rounds 6–8
Even though the bout is only scheduled for 8 rounds, the later stages could be Paul’s best opportunity:
- If Joshua doesn’t get the early knockout, pressure and expectations rise.
- Paul’s youth and recent activity could become an advantage.
- A tired heavyweight is always more vulnerable.
If Paul is still there in round 6 and hasn’t taken huge damage, he can:
- Increase his output.
- Take slightly more risks.
- Try to “steal” the last few rounds on the scorecards if it’s surprisingly competitive.
So… What Are Jake Paul’s Chances?
On paper?
- Anthony Joshua should win comfortably.
- He has every measurable advantage:
- Size
- Power
- Skill
- Experience
Jake Paul’s path to victory is narrow and high-risk:
- Survive early.
- Use speed and movement.
- Land a perfectly timed counter.
- Capitalize fully if Joshua is hurt.
But boxing history is full of upsets rooted in self-belief, preparation, and one perfect punch. Paul has:
- Power
- Confidence
- Momentum
- Nothing to lose
That alone can be dangerous.
Final Thoughts
Jake Paul’s journey from YouTube personality to a ranked cruiserweight now facing Anthony Joshua is one of the most improbable arcs in modern combat sports.
Regardless of the outcome:
- He’s already proved he’s more than a sideshow.
- He’s forced boxing to take him at least somewhat seriously.
- He’s created a crossover event that has the entire sport — and a lot of casual fans — watching.
On December 19th, we find out if his audacity and improvement can bridge one of the biggest gaps we’ve ever seen in a boxing ring, or if Joshua will remind everyone why weight classes and experience still matter.
Either way, Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua is must-watch boxing — and the ultimate test of how far “The Problem Child” has really come.
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