Jake Paul has been placed under an indefinite suspension following a knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua that left the YouTuber turned boxer needing surgery for a broken jaw, according to multiple reports and Paul’s own social media updates.
The suspension, described as indefinite, means Paul cannot compete again until he receives medical clearance, with no set date for a return while he recovers from the injury sustained in the bout. The Florida Athletic Commission issued the medical hold in the wake of the fight in Miami, where Paul was stopped in the sixth round after being dropped multiple times.
Paul later told followers he had undergone an operation to repair the damage to his jaw. In an Instagram post referenced by multiple outlets, he wrote: “Surgery went well thanks for all the love and support. 2 titanium plates on each side. Some teeth removed. Have to have only liquids for 7 days.”
The injury is a significant setback for Paul, who has spent recent years trying to build credibility in professional boxing after rising to fame as an online creator. While medical suspensions are routine after serious injuries, an indefinite designation typically reflects the need for a specialist sign off before an athlete is permitted to fight again, rather than a disciplinary ban with a fixed end date.
The contest with Joshua, staged in Miami and streamed by Netflix, attracted major attention because of the unusual pairing of a global social media personality with a former unified heavyweight champion. Reports said the fight ended in the sixth round, with Joshua scoring multiple knockdowns before the referee halted the bout.
The Guardian reported that Paul suffered a broken jaw in two places and required surgery, adding that he had been ranked at No 15 by the World Boxing Association at cruiserweight before being removed from the rankings after the defeat.
Paul’s injury update included details of the surgical work and the restrictions on eating during the early stages of recovery, with at least a week limited to liquids following the procedure. People magazine reported that Paul also thanked medical staff and indicated he had been treated at a hospital in Miami, while also describing the fight as the first knockout loss of his professional boxing career.
In another social media post from late December, Paul wrote: “Double broken jaw. Give me Canelo in 10 days.” The remark, posted after the bout, was widely shared online and was interpreted by many fans as a mix of bravado and gallows humour in the immediate aftermath of a serious injury.
TalkSPORT reported that Paul discussed how the injury affected his day to day life, including difficulties sleeping as he recovered. The outlet also said Paul had required extensive dental and surgical work, describing multiple teeth extractions and plates inserted in his jaw, and that he had started eating solid food again as healing progressed.
For Paul, the immediate focus is now on medical recovery and clearance rather than matchmaking. Under combat sports regulations, fighters placed on medical suspension are typically barred from sparring and competition until a doctor confirms the injury has sufficiently healed, a process that can be lengthy with fractures involving the jaw.
The setback comes at a time when Paul’s boxing career remains closely scrutinised. Since turning professional, he has mixed bouts against fellow crossover fighters with contests against former mixed martial arts champions, while insisting he intends to compete for legitimate boxing honours. TalkSPORT reported that Paul reiterated an ambition to win a world title at cruiserweight, a weight class below heavyweight, suggesting he still views his long term pathway as returning to the 200 pound division after his recovery.
Joshua, a former two time heavyweight champion, entered the fight with Paul as an established figure in British boxing, though his recent career has included high profile defeats. The Guardian said Joshua framed his approach to the bout in blunt terms, quoting him as saying his plan was to “pin [Paul] down and hurt him.”
The bout’s outcome also had knock on effects beyond the immediate injury. The Guardian reported that Paul’s removal from the WBA cruiserweight rankings followed scrutiny of his presence in the top 15, after earlier debate among boxing observers about whether his record warranted a ranked position.
Paul’s personal life has also been part of the public narrative around his recovery. The New York Post reported that he travelled to the Netherlands to support his fiancée, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam, around the same period, and referenced his jaw surgery in describing the timing of the trip.
While Paul has not announced a timetable for a return, the nature of the injury makes any swift comeback unlikely. A fractured jaw repaired with plates typically requires extended healing time and a cautious return to contact, particularly for a fighter exposed to head shots. The indefinite suspension ensures regulators require evidence of recovery before permitting Paul to box again.
In the meantime, Paul’s own updates have oscillated between gratitude and defiance, pairing a detailed account of the surgery with the combative persona that has helped make him one of boxing’s biggest attractions outside the traditional championship scene. For now, however, the next step is not a new opponent but medical clearance, with the decision on when he can fight again resting with doctors and regulators rather than promoters.
