Jake Paul’s next move in boxing will have to wait. The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter has been handed a medical suspension following his stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua, forcing him into a period of recovery away from the ring.
A Painful Night in Miami
Paul suffered the second defeat of his professional career on December 19 in Miami, when he was stopped in the sixth round by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. While Paul managed to avoid much of Joshua’s offense early on, one clean right hand proved decisive, ending the fight abruptly.
The damage was significant. Paul later revealed he suffered a double jaw fracture, requiring surgery that involved fitting titanium plates and removing several teeth. He admitted the aftermath has been difficult, saying he has been limited to liquids and has struggled to sleep due to ongoing discomfort.
Recovery Comes First
Providing an update on his condition, Paul told DAZN that the healing process has been tougher than expected. He explained that movement in his jaw makes rest difficult, but insisted the experience was part of the sport.
Despite the setback, Paul struck an optimistic tone, describing the fight as a learning experience and suggesting he plans to return later in the year. He also joked about future opponents in the immediate aftermath of the loss, even as the reality of his injuries set in.
Rankings Drop and Medical Suspension
The loss has already had wider consequences. Paul has fallen out of the WBA cruiserweight rankings after previously climbing as high as 14th following his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He was briefly listed at 15th before being replaced.
More recently, the Florida Athletic Commission confirmed Paul has been given an indefinite medical suspension following the knockout. The ruling is standard procedure for fighters stopped by KO and prevents him from competing or engaging in contact sparring until cleared by medical professionals.
Several fighters from the same event also received suspensions of varying lengths, but Paul’s remains open-ended due to the nature of his injuries. For now, his focus is firmly on recovery, with no clear timeline for when he will be allowed back into the ring.
