Jake Paul Admits Anthony Joshua Knockout May Have Ended His Boxing Career Permanently

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, has openly acknowledged that his boxing career may be over following the catastrophic injuries sustained in his defeat to Anthony Joshua last December. Speaking to journalist Ariel Helwani, Paul confirmed he is awaiting fresh medical scans to determine whether he can ever return to the ring.

“I’m getting some new scans here in a couple of days. We’ll see what my doctors say,” Paul told Helwani. “You know, can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm, and possibilities of things. It does feel a lot better but I definitely need to get cleared.”

Paul elaborated on the complexity of his recovery, pointing to both the bone damage and dental injuries as factors that could further delay or prevent a return to competition. “I think it just depends on, like, how the bone heals, and then also there’s a tooth missing here. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implanted tooth of some sort, or I don’t know how much time that is going to add to things,” he said. “We will see. Figure out what the smartest thing is for me. My doctor definitely doesn’t want me to fight.”

The fight, which was broadcast live on Netflix in December 2025, saw former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua dominate Paul from the outset, dropping him multiple times before stopping the contest in the sixth round. Paul’s awareness of the injury was immediate — in the moments after the stoppage, he told cameras at ringside, “I think my jaw is broken, by the way. It’s definitely broke.”

Medical scans subsequently confirmed a double fracture of the jaw, requiring emergency surgery involving titanium plates and screws. Paul was placed on a liquid diet for several weeks as part of his initial recovery. The situation was further complicated when, according to reports, Paul required a second surgical procedure in February 2026 after the hardware fitted during the first operation came loose.

The Miami contest drew widespread attention to the gap in competitive pedigree between Paul, whose professional record was built largely against fellow celebrities, retired athletes, and lower-tier opponents, and a former world heavyweight champion of Joshua’s calibre. The loss represented the most severe consequence yet of Paul’s escalating pursuit of credibility within the sport.

At 29 years old and with a reported nine-figure net worth largely built through his boxing ventures, media platform, and business interests, Paul now faces an uncertain future in the sport that elevated his mainstream profile. Any potential return to competitive action has been pushed back to late 2026 at the earliest, should he receive medical clearance — an outcome his own physician is reportedly discouraging.

Paul’s trajectory in boxing had been closely followed since his professional debut in 2020. While he compiled a winning record and secured bouts with names including Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry, the Joshua fight represented a significant step up in opposition and ultimately exposed the limits of his development as a professional boxer. The outcome, and its lasting physical consequences, may define how his stint in the sport is ultimately remembered.