Jake Paul has undergone surgery to repair a double jaw fracture after his heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua ended in a brutal stoppage defeat in Miami.
The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer went six rounds with the two-time world heavyweight champion before the referee stopped the contest when Paul failed to beat the count following repeated knockdowns.
Paul was floored twice in the fifth and sixth rounds, and later admitted in his post-fight comments that he suspected his jaw was “definitely” broken. Medical scans confirmed the damage, showing two fractures along his jawline.
Doctors fitted two titanium plates and removed several teeth during surgery. Paul shared an X-ray image of the injury on social media, thanking fans for their support and revealing he would be restricted to a liquid diet for seven days.
“Surgery went well thanks for all the love and support,” Paul wrote on Instagram, adding a touch of humor by joking that he could face former four-weight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez “in 10 days.”
The injury forced Paul to miss the post-fight press conference, but his team has assured fans that his recovery is progressing well.
Nakisa Bidarian, chief executive of Most Valuable Promotions, explained that jaw fractures are not uncommon in combat sports. “A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA,” Bidarian said. “The recovery time is four to six weeks.”
Joshua, who dominated the bout with his superior power and precision, has yet to comment publicly on Paul’s injury but praised his opponent’s resilience in the ring.
The fight marked Paul’s toughest test since transitioning from social media stardom to professional boxing. Despite the loss, his willingness to face elite opposition has earned him respect from some corners of the boxing community.
As Paul begins his recovery, questions remain about his next move in the sport. While his joke about fighting Canelo Alvarez was lighthearted, fans and analysts expect him to take significant time off before considering another bout.
