In a night that captivated the global sports world, British boxing icon Anthony Joshua delivered a commanding sixth‑round knockout of YouTuber‑turned‑boxer Jake Paul in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash at the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19, 2025. The bout, streamed live to millions on Netflix, marked one of the most surreal and talked‑about events in modern combat sports, blending traditional pugilism with celebrity spectacle.

From the opening bell, the fight — billed as “Judgment Day” — carried enormous expectations. Joshua, a two‑time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, entered the ring as the overwhelming favorite despite more than a year out of active competition following a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Paul, the social media mogul whose unconventional boxing career has generated more headlines than wins, was seen as an intriguing yet risky opponent, a cruiserweight stepping up to face a seasoned heavyweight with significant advantages in size, experience and pedigree. The narrative was part David vs. Goliath, part circus, but the outcome was undoubtedly reaffirmation of boxing fundamentals.

The physical disparities were evident early. At the weigh‑in, Joshua tipped the scales at 243.4 pounds, nearly 30 pounds heavier than Paul, who weighed in at 216.6 pounds — a rare heavyweight outing for the American whose career has mostly been at cruiserweight. Standing six feet six inches tall with a longer reach, Joshua looked every bit the seasoned contender poised to reestablish his dominance. Paul, by contrast, sought to rely on speed, movement and unpredictability, a strategy that allowed him to avoid early confrontation.

The first four rounds unfolded in a way few anticipated. Joshua, methodical but visibly shaking off ring rust, struggled to impose his will while Paul employed a defensive game plan built around evasion and clinching. The crowd’s expectation for early fireworks dissipated as both fighters traded minimal offense, prompting boos and criticism from some spectators who felt the spectacle did not live up to the hype. Nevertheless, Joshua’s experience — and sustained pressure — began shaping the narrative as the fight progressed.

By the fifth round, momentum definitively shifted. Joshua began to land meaningful blows, culminating in two knockdowns as Paul’s energy reserves drained and his defensive tactics became increasingly untenable. Judges and fans alike sensed the fight reaching a turning point as the veteran Briton closed the distance with crisp combinations that rattled his opponent.

The decisive moment came early in the sixth. After dropping Paul again with a heavy right, Joshua pressed forward — his shots now landing with precision and power — prompting referee intervention and an emphatic stoppage at 1:31 of the round. The victory marked Joshua’s first knockout win since defeating Francis Ngannou in early 2024 and ended Paul’s bid to make a defining statement in his sporadic journey through professional boxing.

In the frenetic moments following the fight, Joshua offered measured respect to his defeated foe, acknowledging Paul’s resilience in lasting into the later rounds despite the physical toll. Paul, grimacing from the knockout blow, later revealed he believes he suffered a broken jaw but maintained a defiant spirit, expressing a desire to continue his boxing career after recovery and even pursue a world title.

The bout also reignited questions about the evolving nature of celebrity boxing — a phenomenon that has both expanded audiences and drawn criticism from purists. Observers on social media and discussion boards were quick to debate the legitimacy of the match, with some fans decrying the spectacle as a mismatched contest, while others applauded the drama and Joshua’s eventual assertion of superior skill. Regardless, the fight generated immense viewership, leveraging Netflix’s global streaming platform and bringing combat sports into mainstream entertainment in ways previously unparalleled.

For Joshua, the victory offers a potential springboard back into elite contention. Fresh off his knockout triumph, the Briton openly called for high‑profile future matchups, including the possibility of facing fellow heavyweight star Tyson Fury, whose social media rivalry with Joshua has been an ongoing subplot in the build‑up to the Miami showdown. With a professional record bolstered by 26 knockouts and a renewed sense of momentum, Joshua now stands poised to define the next chapter of his storied career.

For Paul, the defeat may represent a crossroads. Though he showed durability that surprised some critics, the physical and tactical challenges he faced against an elite heavyweight highlight the limitations of his transition from influencer to serious pugilist. However personal ambition and showmanship remain central to his brand, and Paul’s remarks post‑fight underscored a readiness to learn and return, even if at a more natural weight class.

As the boxing world digests the aftermath of “Judgment Day,” one truth endures: when elite skill meets massive spectacle, the sport’s appeal — and controversy — only grows stronger. Joshua’s knockout may have closed one chapter, but in the global arena of fighters, fans and media narratives alike, the story is far from over.

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The Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology, Kachia, Kaduna State, on Friday graduated 323 personnel from the Quarter Armourer and Fire Control I–III courses.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the graduates were drawn from Batches 25, 28 and 29.

The Guest of Honour at the maiden gunnery regimental graduation ceremony, Governor Uba Sani, said the event marked a historic milestone in celebrating the discipline, commitment and professional excellence of the graduands.

Sani, who was represented by the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said the training strengthened national security and reflected the Navy’s growing technical and professional capacity.

He said Kaduna State remained committed to people-centred governance through investments in education, healthcare, social infrastructure, human capital development and coordinated security interventions.

The governor said the progress recorded in the state was supported by strong collaboration with the military and other security agencies, whose sacrifices had contributed to improved peace, stability and development.

He commended the impressive parade, describing it as evidence of high regimentation, professionalism, commitment and rigorous training by both instructors and graduates.

Sani also commended the Chief of Training, Rear Admiral A.M. Haruna, the leadership of the Naval Training Command and the instructors for producing exceptional Above Water Warfare Gunners.

He urged the graduands to serve with integrity, courage and professionalism, applying their skills with precision, patriotism and loyalty amid Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.

In a remark, the Commandant of NNSAT, Commodore Chikaji Isah, thanked Sani for honouring the ceremony through his representative.

Isah said the governor’s presence underscored Kaduna State’s commitment to human capital development, security enhancement and institutional growth within the Nigerian Navy.

He appreciated the state government for providing improved infrastructure and essential training aids, noting that the interventions would enhance training, equipment readiness and professional excellence.

The commandant praised the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for his visionary leadership in strengthening the Navy’s capacity to confront emerging and contemporary threats.

He acknowledged the support of the families of the graduates , congratulated the personnel and expressed confidence that they would serve the nation with pride, dedication and professionalism.

The highlight of the event was a silent drills display, match pasts and the presentation of awards to deserving officers and ratings in order of merit.

Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has revealed why her late husband, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, rarely sacked underperforming aides, and later pleaded on behalf of some allies facing probes.

Her account appeared in a new 600-page biography titled ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’, authored by Dr. Charles Omole and unveiled at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

“When asked to step aside for investigations, Buhari pleaded with the new government on behalf of his kinsmen, seeking to shield them from inquiry because he still depended on them for many personal matters,” read the 22-chapter book chronicling his early life in Daura, Katsina state, until his final hours in a London hospital in mid-July 2025.

Omole wrote that “This analysis by Aisha provides an additional angle on the children’s explanation for why Buhari was always reluctant to sack people. The family all agreed this was a fault in the Buhari government, but it is mitigated by the realism of the cabal’s manipulation of his emotions.”

Since 2023, several senior officials from the Buhari era have faced scrutiny from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Former Accountant-General Ahmed Idris which he was invesigated along with Ex Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed he is being tried over an alleged N109bn fraud scheme to which he pleaded not guilty. Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman was arrested over an alleged diversion of about N22bn tied to Zungeru/Mambilla projects.

Ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika has been arraigned on contract-fraud counts linked to Nigeria Air and other deals, with charge sheets citing figures around N2.7bn in one case.

Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq has been questioned in a probe into N37.1bn in social-intervention spending; the ex-NSIPA DG, Halima Shehu, also faces a separate investigation over N44bn.

More recently, ex-Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has also drawn scrutiny principally for his role in efforts to process contentious Paris-Club consultant claims totalling about $418m. Malami has denied wrongdoing and says his actions were lawful.

Aisha Buhari says her late husband protected individuals who should have faced scrutiny.

Although she did not name them, she sketched “their closeness, their greed, their immunity,” the book noted.

When questions began to rise in the corridors of power after he left office, she was urged to return to Daura so that prosecutions could proceed. She refused, saying she had no interest in confronting those she describes as “illiterate in her maturity.”

A few weeks later, she learned he had gone silent in the household for three days and was barely eating.

When some allies were asked to step aside for investigation, Buhari “pleaded with the new government on behalf of his kinsmen,” Omole writes, because he still depended on them for many personal matters.

The book read, “When questions about those years started emerging in the corridors of power, someone urged her to return to Daura to stay with him. ‘If you are there, they can prosecute the people,’ the warning went.

She declined, stating she had no interest in confronting those she describes as illiterate in her maturity. However, the story didn’t conclude with her refusal.

A few weeks later, she learned he had not spoken to the household for three days and had been eating hardly anything.

“Later still, she found out that when asked to step aside for investigations, Buhari pleaded with the new government on behalf of his kinsmen, seeking to shield them from inquiry because he still depended on them for many personal matters. Conscience is an ancient hunter.

“In the months before his death, she says he became more reserved, mostly replying with yes or no and avoiding eye contact. ‘All that I told him had come to pass,’ she remarks calmly. Shame, duty, and love, all the unpredictable forces of a shared life, dominated his final days, a man who had always prided himself on integrity.”

The ex-First Lady’s account revives a long-running debate from Buhari’s tenure, especially his hesitance about dismissals even amid public outcry.

This was evident even as his tenure produced the longest-serving set of service chiefs from July 2015 until January 2021.