Combat sports lighting rod Jake Paul will face his toughest challenge to date when he takes on Anthony Joshua at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday.
In his nearly six-year professional career, Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has scored several impressive victories. Since he tasted defeat for the only time in a split decision loss against Tommy Fury in February 2023, “El Gallo” has gone on a six-fight winning streak. Now, the native of Cleveland, Ohio, seeks to put his skills to the test against a two-time unified heavyweight champion in Joshua.
Ahead of his massive test on Friday, we take a look at 10 of the best moments in Paul’s boxing career thus far.
Paul makes quick work in professional debut
With just one amateur fight under his belt, Paul made his professional debut against fellow YouTube star, AnEsonGib in January 2020. From the first bell, Paul demonstrated his offensive abilities behind a sharp jab. One round was all it took, as he scored three knockdowns en route to a TKO win.
A brutal knockout ending
Paul took on former NBA player Nate Robinson in November 2020. Robinson was an open target for Paul’s right hand and hit the canvas a total of three times. In the second round, Paul continued to find the mark as he put Robinson out cold with a dramatic knockout victory.
The show continues
In April 2021, “El Gallo De Dorado” faced former Bellator and ONE world champion Ben Askren. It was Paul’s first headliner, in just his third professional contest. Paul knocked Askren down with a straight right hand in the first round. Although Askren rose to his feet, he stumbled with visibly shaky legs. Paul earned the TKO win for his third consecutive stoppage victory.
No room for any doubt
After a close split decision win, Paul met former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley for a rematch in December 2021. The fight didn’t go the distance this time, as Paul connected with a hard right hand in the sixth round that put Woodley out face-first. It was his fourth stoppage win through five fights.
Paul adds UFC legend to resume
In October 2022, Paul went up against former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. “The Spider” had a few victories to his resume in four previous professional contests. Including a first-round knockout win over Tito Ortiz in September 2021. Paul scored a knockdown in the final round to seal a unanimous decision win over the legendary Silva.
Paul bounces back against a UFC fan favorite
Following a setback defeat against Fury, Paul returned against the crowd-pleasing competitor Nate Diaz. Paul outlanded Diaz, as he connected on 174 total punches. He also knocked Diaz down in the fifth round with a counter left hook. Paul bounced back to the win column with a unanimous decision victory.
Back-to-back early stoppages
After several decision wins, Paul scored a first-round knockout victory against Andre August in December 2023. He returned against Ryan Bourland in March 2024 and followed up with another quick outing. Paul unloaded a relentless attack with Bourland against the ropes to secure a TKO win in the first round.
Dominant outing over BKFC champion
Paul added another champion to his resume, as he took on BKFC “King of Violence” middleweight titleholder Mike Perry in July 2024. In a one-sided contest, Paul landed 96 total punches, compared to Perry’s underwhelming 33 total. Paul also knocked Perry down three times, as he earned a sixth-round TKO win.
Paul picks up his biggest win
In November 2024, former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson made a shocking return against Paul. It was the 2011 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee’s first professional contest in nearly 20 years. Paul went on to defeat “Iron” by unanimous decision. At 58 years old, this was clearly a different version of Tyson from the one who once dominated the boxing landscape. However, he is inarguably the biggest name on Paul’s resume.
Paul cruises against former world champion
In June, Paul squared off against former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chavéz Jr. Paul controlled the pace of the fight and landed more than double the number of Chavéz’s total punches. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Paul, in a wide unanimous decision win.
