Jake Paul’s Mayweather ‘copycat’ stunt after Joshua knockout | Boxing | Sport
Jake Paul has mirrored boxing icon Floyd Mayweather with his latest social media offering following his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Miami, Florida, at the weekend. The American flaunted his fight earnings in a photograph that also displayed an array of firearms aboard a private aircraft.
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Joshua, 36, floored the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, 28, during the sixth round of their heavyweight clash at the Kaseya Center in the early hours of Saturday morning. Joshua’s right hand proved so devastating that Paul’s jaw sustained multiple fractures, necessitating immediate surgical intervention once the contest had ended. Despite his injury compounding the anguish of defeat, the American pugilist has remained exceptionally active across social media platforms in the wake of the bout, with a recent Instagram upload showcasing his fight purse in the form of bundles of $100 notes scattered across a private jet’s floor – while also brandishing several firearms in the image.
“The American Dream [US flag emoji]. Start yours today. Believe in it. Fail. Work. Fail. Learn. Fail. Don’t ever stop,” penned Paul, who could be observed clutching a gold-plated magnum whilst puffing on a cigar. The upload has drawn parallels to images shared by former fellow pugilist ‘Money’ Mayweather in previous years.
The ex-five-division world champion would frequently pose alongside his millions in cash following major bouts throughout his own 21-year professional journey. Paul has already heaped praise on the sport and declared his intention to carry on boxing whilst targeting world titles, particularly at cruiserweight, once he’s fully recovered.
Nevertheless, he faces a mandatory 60-day medical suspension before he can step through the ropes again following his knockout defeat. Meanwhile, after his triumph, Joshua openly called out Tyson Fury for a potential future clash, suggesting he would use upcoming bouts as stepping stones towards that heavyweight showdown.
He told Ariel Helwani after the fight: “First of all, I want to give love to the crowd that came out. I really do appreciate everyone in this venue. Look, it was not the best performance. It was not the best. The end goal was to get Jake Paul… pin him down and hurt him.
“That has been the request leading up and that was on my mind. It took a little longer than expected, but the right hand finally found the destination. Now, Jake Paul…he has done really well tonight. I want to give him his props. He got up. Time and time again. It was difficult in there for him, but he kept on trying to find a way.
“It takes a real man to do that. Anyone who laces up those gloves, we always say we give them their respect. We have to give Jake his respect for trying and trying and trying. Well done. But… he came up against a real fighter tonight that’s had a 15 month lay-off. We shook off the cobwebs and I cannot wait to roll into 2026.
“And if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come out and fight one of the realest fighters that will take on any challenge. Step in the ring with me next if you are a real bad boy. Don’t do all of that talking ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
