Jake Paul has had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after Anthony Joshua broke his jaw in two places during the American’s stoppage defeat in their heavyweight fight in Miami.
The 28-year-old went six rounds with two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua, but the fight was stopped when Paul failed to beat the count following repeated knockdowns.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer hit the canvas twice in the fifth and sixth rounds and said in his post-fight comments he thought his jaw was “definitely” broken.
“Surgery went well thanks for all the love and support,” wrote Paul on Instagram. “Have to have only liquids for seven days.”
Paul posted an image of his X-ray on social media that showed the double break, external on his jawline.
Despite missing the post-fight news conference as a result of the injury, Paul joked he could take on former four-weight world champion Saul Canelo Alvarez “in 10 days”.
“A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA,” Most Valuable Promotions chief Nakisa Bidarian said. “The recovery time is four to six weeks.”
Paul was a massive underdog against his vastly more experienced opponent and he tried to use his speed and footwork to stay away from the Briton’s big punches.
The fight had attracted criticism because of the weight discrepancy and experience gap between the fighters.
Paul has fought most of his career at cruiserweight and says he intends to take “some time off” from boxing.
“We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight. I’m going for the cruiserweight world title,” he said.
“I’m going to take a little break. I’ve been going hard for six years.
bbc.com