Jake Paul Reflects on Anthony Joshua Loss, Admits Biggest Mistake and Eyes Francis Ngannou Bout
In the wake of his high-profile boxing bout with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul offered a candid assessment of what went wrong — and where he could have done better.
Paul, who entered the fight on relatively short notice after his scheduled exhibition with Gervonta Davis was canceled, ultimately suffered a sixth-round knockout at the hands of Joshua. The stoppage also left Paul with a broken jaw that will require time away from the ring. Yahoo Sports+1
Speaking on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, Paul didn’t shy away from owning his performance. According to the YouTuber-turned-boxer, the biggest mistake of his camp was not preparing with altitude training to build the extra cardiovascular edge needed against a fighter of Joshua’s size and pedigree. Yahoo Sports
“I wish I had more than three weeks to prepare… I should have gone to altitude to train. That was my biggest mistake.” — Jake Paul Yahoo Sports
Paul explained that the combination of adapting to Joshua’s power, navigating sparring with larger athletes, and learning to manage energy in 10-ounce gloves were challenges he didn’t fully anticipate. While he believes he had some moments in the fight — including a point where he “wobbled” Joshua — the physical toll ultimately told. Sky Sports
Cardio and Game Plan Lessons
Paul broke down his strategy as one reliant on movement and pace, trying to outwork an opponent with a significant size advantage. Early in the fight, the approach seemed to produce results, but as the rounds progressed, Paul admitted that fatigue became a decisive factor.
“My cardio just wasn’t on point… and when I started feeling tired, that’s when it got tough.” Yahoo Sports
Despite landing meaningful shots earlier in the bout, Paul acknowledged that his overall conditioning and approach against a seasoned heavyweight were not enough to stave off Joshua’s power. ClutchPoints
Francis Ngannou: Criticism and Future Target
In the aftermath of the loss, Paul didn’t hold back on his thoughts about former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Paul highlighted that he outlasted Ngannou in the ring — lasting until the sixth round compared to Ngannou’s second-round defeat to Joshua earlier in 2024 — and used that as fuel to question Ngannou’s chin and toughness. Yahoo Sports
“I told everyone I would do better than Francis… and Francis is low-key soft,” Paul said, sarcastically dismissing Ngannou’s performance and signaling interest in a potential matchup. Yahoo Sports
Paul also teased that he’s open to fighting Ngannou, noting that “maybe now he’ll take it,” suggesting future crossover bouts are still on his radar. Yahoo Sports
What Comes Next for Paul
Recovering from a broken jaw, Paul is expected to be out of action until at least mid-to-late 2026. Meanwhile, the conversation around his future — whether going back into boxing’s deep end or exploring another crossover fight with a former MMA champion — continues to evolve. MMA Fighting
