Anthony Joshua faces more questions than answers after Jake Paul victory: Key takeaways from Miami comeback encounter

Anthony Joshua finished what he set out to do on Friday night in Miami, securing a lucrative victory against Jake Paul under the bright lights.

The Briton arrived stateside after more than a year of inactivity, on the comeback trail following last September's hard loss to Daniel Dubois.

Against a novice foe stepping up from his natural cruiserweight for the contest, Joshua was always the heavy favourite to win - and win well.

But as he heads home for the holidays before a legacy-defining 2026, both he and his rival have been left with more questions than answers.

Here, DAZN News looks at the key takeaways from an encounter that may see its repercussions stretch well into the future for its star men.

Joshua reasserts fitness after a lengthy absence

No athlete wants to spend more than a calendar sat on the sidelines, but Joshua has been forced to bide his time on a return to the canvas.

Recovery from his injuries has forced him away from the ropes. The Briton wouldn't be the first to let such a layoff get the better of his shape.

Instead, over five-and-a-half rounds, 'AJ' comfortably showed his fitness remains undimmed, in a promising sign for his trainers and promoters.

Paul's exposure offers a star-name rethink

'The Problem Child' has helped expand the traditional horizons of boxing's audiences through his career, frequently through unorthodox foes.

His bout with Mike Tyson in 2024 shattered gate records, even as the fight itself may have proved to be less than the sum of its star-name parts.

Now, he has suffered the heaviest defeat of his career, ultimately exposed brutally. Could now be the time for a star-name rethink?

Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images

Fight legs are yet to fully return for Briton

That being said, this was a fight many expected Joshua to deal with inside two or three rounds, before swiftly moving on to catch bigger fish.

He cannot help the tactics that Paul pulled out of the bag - repeated clinches, drops, and the like - and ultimately stalked his opponent down.

But Joshua did seem to struggle with the lateral movement Paul offered early on. More experienced foes will certainly exploit his gaps there.

American must weigh cruiserweight dreams

Let us not forget that Paul stepped up a division in pursuit of this blockbuster at short notice, having originally been set for Gervonta Davis.

Yet now, with the experience banked against one of the modern era's finest fighters, he must weigh up his dream of a cruiserweight title.

Amid a division where he is a ranked contender, and with splintered options, there are pathways. But is that truly the route Paul wants now?

'AJ' in need of stern tune-up test

Nothing is ever a sure thing in boxing, but it seems more likely than ever that Joshua will finally get his domestic super-bout with Tyson Fury.

Plans for a February tune-up were always in the works before this bout with Paul was hastily convened - but they are now critical for him too.

Joshua needs a tougher test than Paul, perhaps one that exposes his flaws more ruthlessly. If not, his white-whale foe could blow him away.

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