Lennox Lewis Reveals The Fatal Mistake That Cost Jake Paul Against Joshua

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has opined that Jake Paul was not physically prepared for the rigors of a heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua, who secured a sixth-round stoppage.

Paul, who had never been knocked down in his professional career, failed to beat the count as Joshua’s relentless pressure finally overwhelmed him.

Speaking on Netflix, Lewis said: “Paul wasn’t in good shape, especially for a big heavyweight like that. After a couple of rounds, it showed—he was basically just sitting there waiting to get hit.”

The three-time world champion also noted that Joshua’s long absence from the ring contributed to the fight taking a few rounds to truly come alive. This was Joshua’s first fight since his defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

“When Anthony said he’d been out for 15 months, it was evident,” Lewis added. “He needed a couple of rounds to warm up and get used to the ring before he could land those punches. He did what he had to do—there was a guy in front of him moving around, and he had to catch up.”

Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward offered a more measured perspective on Paul’s performance, particularly in the early rounds.

“When Paul got tired, he panicked,” Ward said. “That’s a clear sign of fatigue. He gave Joshua some help because he was having some early success. You also have to give Joshua credit—Paul was competitive enough to make it interesting for a while.”

British retired boxer Chris Eubank Jr. praised Paul’s determination, writing on : “Regardless of the outcome, Jake Paul stepped into the ring with an Olympic gold medallist and former heavyweight world champion and gave his all until the end. He deserves respect—he did what most would never attempt and never gave up.”

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye also acknowledged Paul’s efforts, highlighting Joshua’s early frustration. “Joshua was trying a little too hard. It’s not just about winning; it’s about how you win,” Haye said during the opening rounds. He later added, “Jake Paul was competitive in there. He made the early rounds frustrating for Anthony Joshua.”