Does Jake Step Down as Leader?
Jake Paul, the famous YouTuber turned boxer, faced a tough night in the ring on Saturday. He took on heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua at Miami’s Kaseya Center, drawing a full crowd of 19,600 fans. https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-12-19/anthony-joshua-knocks-out-jake-paul Joshua won by knockout in the sixth round, dropping Paul four times along the way. Paul got up after the first three knockdowns, but a strong right hand to the head ended it at 1:31. Joshua now stands at 29-4 with 26 knockouts, while Paul’s record drops to 12-2. https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-12-19/anthony-joshua-knocks-out-jake-paul
After the fight, Paul shared that his jaw broke in two spots. Joshua praised him anyway, saying Paul showed heart by getting back up each time. This loss raises questions about Paul’s future in boxing. He has built a big name with wins over older fighters like Mike Tyson, but Joshua proved too skilled. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/12/19/paul-joshua-match-adds-to-netflixs-bold-push-into-live-sports/ The match streamed live on Netflix, their fourth big sports event in just over a year. Many see Paul as a fresh face who draws new fans to the sport, even if old-school boxers question his path.
Does this mean Jake Paul steps down as a leader in boxing? Paul calls himself the face of the sport over the last ten years. He mixes social media fame with fights to pull in huge crowds. Joshua called the bout a chance to end the “Jake Paul show” and carry boxing forward. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/12/19/paul-joshua-match-adds-to-netflixs-bold-push-into-live-sports/ Paul admits critics see him as an outsider, but he believes his style grows the sport. No word yet from Paul on quitting or stepping back. His team has not said he plans to stop. Fans watch close as he heals and decides his next move.
Other Jakes make the news too, but none match this boxing story. Jake Auchincloss serves in Congress as a Democrat from Massachusetts. He fights for gun control and other issues but holds no boxing role. https://www.jakeforma.com NHL player Jake Guentzel plays center this season, leading no team as a top boss. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/jake-guentzel-position The real talk stays on Paul and if one big loss shifts his spot at the top.
Sources
https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-12-19/anthony-joshua-knocks-out-jake-paul
https://www.jakeforma.com
https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/jake-guentzel-position
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/12/19/paul-joshua-match-adds-to-netflixs-bold-push-into-live-sports/
