Jake Paul has shared an update on the shocking injury he sustained after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight fight.
The 28-year-old social media star was knocked out in the sixth round at the Casey Center in Miami on December 19.
Facing off against the 36-year-old former two-time unified heavyweight champion, the much-hyped bout aired globally on Netflix - but the outcome was far from what Paul had envisioned.
After being dropped twice in the fifth round and twice again in the sixth, Paul was stopped by KO in what was his first career stoppage loss.
He skipped the post-fight press conference and drove himself straight to the University of Miami hospital.
“He took a shower, he drove himself to hospital,” confirmed Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, per ESPN. “A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA. The recovery time is four to six weeks.”
Paul Shared An Update
Paul later confirmed in a hospital update that he’d undergone surgery, sharing an X-ray of his shattered jaw and a thumbs-up photo from the gurney.
“Surgery went well thanks for all the love and support,” he wrote. “2 [two] titanium plates on each side. Some teeth removed. Have to have only liquids for 7 days so no @doghausdogs.”
Viewers flooded the comments, with one writing: "Earned my respect for getting in there. Bravo." Andother chimed in: "Not his biggest fan, but fair play to the lad taking that shot and getting back up
Despite losing the $184 million Netflix purse - a figure revealed by former UFC champ Michael Bisping - Paul insists he’s not done.
“We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight,” he said. “I’m going for the cruiserweight world championship at some point...I’m going to take a little break. I’ve been going hard for six years, so I’m going to take some time off."
Meanwhile, Joshua, who dropped Paul four times in total, admitted the win took longer than expected but said the result was never in doubt.
“It wasn’t the best performance,” he said, per The Guardian. “The end goal was to get Jake Paul, pin him down and hurt him. That has been the request leading up, and that’s what was on my mind. It took a bit longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination.”
While critics questioned the matchup from the start, Joshua praised Paul’s resilience. “Jake Paul, he’s done really well tonight,” he said. “I want to give him his props. He got up time and time again. It takes a real man to do that. We have to give Jake his respect for trying and trying and trying. Well done.”
Then, the former champ turned his sights to Tyson Fury: “If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is... step into the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy,” Joshua said. “Don’t do all that talking: ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
Despite the brutal loss, Paul remained upbeat. “I’m feeling good. That was fun,” he said. “I love this sport. I gave it my all. It’s f***ing crazy."
"I had a blast. Anthony’s a great fighter. I got my ass beat, but that’s what this sport’s about.”
And he’s not backing down from his long-term goal. “Man, I’ve already won in every single way in life,” Paul said. “My family, my beautiful fiancée. This sport has helped me so much in my life. I’m going to come back and get a world championship belt at some point.”
You can stream Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua now on Netflix.