Social media star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul has been handed an indefinite medical suspension by the Florida State Athletic Commission after suffering a serious injury in his high-profile bout against former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
What Happened in the Fight?
On December 19, 2025, Paul faced Joshua at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, in a bout broadcast live on Netflix. The fight was widely anticipated due to the size and experience difference between the two: Joshua, a veteran former world champion, outweighed Paul significantly and dominated the matchup.
Paul started the fight showing resilience, lasting into the sixth round, but Joshua’s power eventually proved decisive. Joshua scored a series of knockdowns and landed a powerful right hook that broke Paul’s jaw in two places. The referee stopped the fight, awarding a technical knockout (TKO) victory to Joshua.
Medical Suspension and Injury Details
Following the bout, the Florida State Athletic Commission imposed an indefinite medical suspension on Paul due to the severity of his injury. This means Paul cannot compete again until he receives full medical clearance from a qualified physician.
Paul later confirmed that the jaw injury was significant enough to require surgery, during which multiple titanium plates were implanted to repair the damage. In interviews, Paul described the recovery as “tough,” noting that he was on a liquid diet and focusing on healing.
Other fighters on the same card also received suspensions from the commission:
Tyron Woodley – 30-day suspension
Camilla Panatta – 30-day suspension
Yokasta Valle – 30-day suspension
Justin Cardona – 60-day suspension
Diarra Davis Jr. – Indefinite suspension alongside Paul
Impact on Rankings and Career
The loss to Joshua also had immediate professional consequences: Paul was dropped from the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings shortly after the fight. Previously listed at No. 15, Paul no longer appears in the updated rankings due to the defeat and the injury that followed.
The setback marks only the second professional defeat of Paul’s boxing career and his first knockout loss. Before this bout, Paul held a 12-2 record with seven knockouts.
Paul’s Response and Future Plans
Despite the severity of the injury and the indefinite suspension, Paul has expressed his intention to return to boxing once medically cleared. He reportedly aims to resume fighting at cruiserweight, a weight class more suitable for his size and skill level.
On social media, Paul has shared updates from his recovery, writing that the surgery went smoothly and that his “jaw is broken but heart and balls are intact.”
Context: Paul’s Rise in Combat Sports
Jake Paul first entered boxing as a YouTube personality, later transitioning into professional combat sports with notable bouts against names like Mike Tyson (which he won by decision). The Joshua fight represented one of Paul’s biggest steps up in competition—and one that exposed the limits of his boxing experience.
