In a stunning turn of events, Jake Paul has been removed from the WBA cruiserweight rankings following a decisive defeat at the hands of Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion. The match, which took place on December 19, 2025, in Miami, Florida, saw the YouTuber-turned-boxer struggle against Joshua’s formidable skills.
During the heavyweight bout, Joshua delivered a knockout blow in the sixth round that left Paul with a broken jaw in two places. The severity of the injury required Paul to undergo surgery to repair the damage, marking a significant setback in his boxing career.
Prior to this match, Paul had been making waves in the boxing world. He secured the 14th spot in the WBA cruiserweight rankings in July after a notable victory over 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision in Anaheim, California. However, his ranking slipped to No. 15 just before facing Joshua, reflecting the intense competition and challenges he faced in the ring.
This recent defeat by Joshua serves as a reminder of the formidable talent present in the heavyweight division and highlights the challenges faced by newcomers like Paul as they strive to establish themselves in the sport.
Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) had entered the WBA’s cruiserweight rankings at No. 14 in July shortly after he beat 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision in Anaheim, California.
He was at No. 15 entering the bout against Joshua.
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