Jake Paul faces an indefinite boxing ban after his Anthony Joshua fight and the reason could reshape his career

Jake Paul is facing an indefinite boxing ban following his December loss to Anthony Joshua, a development that could alter the direction of his 2026 plans. The setback is not the result of a disciplinary ruling or promotional dispute, but a consequence of injuries sustained during the fight.

Details later emerged via LADbible that Paul suffered a broken jaw in two places after being stopped by the former heavyweight world champion in the sixth round. The injury automatically places him on medical suspension, preventing him from competing until he receives full clearance from doctors.

The loss marked Paul’s second defeat as a professional boxer and came against his most experienced opponent to date. While the bout was framed as a major step up in competition, the physical toll has left his immediate future uncertain.

This was more than just a loss on the scorecards

Paul was taken to hospital immediately after the fight and underwent surgery to repair the damage to his jaw. In the days that followed, he shared updates with followers, explaining that he was restricted to liquids for a week and dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness. He later confirmed that multiple teeth were removed during the procedure and that four titanium plates were installed to stabilize his jaw.

The recovery has been difficult. Paul admitted that sleep has been disrupted due to discomfort when lying down, and he described the healing process as exhausting. Despite that, he characterised the injury as part of boxing and credited medical staff for a successful operation.

The Florida Athletic Commission has since placed Paul on an indefinite medical suspension, meaning he is barred from professional competition until a licensed health professional confirms he is fit to return. While such suspensions are common after serious injuries, the open-ended nature of the ban adds uncertainty to his timeline. Joshua, meanwhile, has remained in the headlines for reasons beyond the ring, including a recent incident where he survived a fatal crash shortly after the bout.

The injury compounds other recent setbacks for Paul. At the start of the year, he was removed from the WBA cruiserweight rankings, eliminating any immediate path toward a title fight. The combination of a stoppage loss, a serious injury, and the loss of his ranking represents a significant interruption to his momentum, similar to recent Megyn Kelly controversies.

Still, Paul has been publicly reflective rather than withdrawn. Speaking on his brother Logan’s podcast, he claimed he felt competitive early in the fight and acknowledged the difference in power and preparation. He pointed to limited time for conditioning and a lack of altitude training as factors, while also crediting Joshua’s defense and composure.