Joshua has no regrets about Paul’s career ending

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has made it clear that he feels no regret about the damage he caused Jake Paul during their December 2025 fight, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The British-Nigerian boxer was asked about Paul possibly retiring. He responded with a cold smile and said, “I think that’s what was asked of me, and I think I delivered,” on the Mr Verzace Podcast.

In the sixth round of their fight in Miami, Joshua broke Paul’s jaw in two places. This left the YouTuber-turned-boxer with two titanium plates and a record of 12-2.

Since then, Paul has been on the sidelines. Recently, he told journalist Ariel Helwani that his boxing career might be over.

Ahead of his return fight against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25, Joshua shared that he received a clear order before the Paul fight. “There was a strict message that was given, and a task that was laid upon me, and that was to get rid of Jake Paul and remove him from our beloved sport,” he said.

“Whether that took me one round or six rounds, I believe the job was well and truly done.” Joshua also said the fight helped reignite his career after being away from the ring for over a year. This followed his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

“I come back to Miami on the biggest stage, and people see that light, that energy. A lot of people said, ‘That’s the guy we knew,’ and it felt good to be back.”

After the fight with Paul, Joshua was in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that killed two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. He was a passenger in that vehicle.

Now, Joshua is focused on Prenga in July. He is also preparing for a big fight with Tyson Fury later in the year. Fury returned to the ring after 16 months in April, winning a points decision against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Both Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have confirmed a deal for the Fury-Joshua fight, which is expected in November.

Joshua believes this fight is important, but it is just one of many he wants before he retires. His long-term goal is to win a third heavyweight title. “I need another title,” he stated.

“I made a decision for myself. This is my purpose. I’m talented, I’m quite smart, I can do a lot of things, but I want to use all my energy and align my focus and just be a champion again.”