Netflix had plenty to celebrate after last Friday night’s Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua fight reportedly drew 33 million viewers. Despite chatter beforehand that the bout lacked buzz, the numbers suggest a massive audience tuned in when the opening bell rang in Miami, outperforming many traditional pay-per-view events from the past decade.
Inside the ring, the fight largely played out as expected. Paul absorbed significant punishment and left the bout with a broken jaw in two places, yet managed to last until the referee stepped in. Few believed an upset was realistic, but Paul’s promotional persona drew viewers who were either curious or eager to see him tested against a former heavyweight champion.
Paul’s approach drew criticism, though his options were limited against a larger, stronger opponent. Avoidance and survival became his primary tactics, and while it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, it allowed him to remain competitive longer than many expected.
Joshua, meanwhile, was faulted by some for appearing rusty, but he faced an opponent intent on minimizing exchanges. Still, Joshua applied steady pressure and wore Paul down, eventually overwhelming him once fatigue set in. As anticipated, the fight ended with Joshua firmly in control.
While 33 million viewers did not surpass Netflix’s biggest boxing numbers like Jake Paul’s bout with Mike Tyson or the recent Canelo Alvarez–Terence Crawford fight, the event still reinforced the platform’s drawing power. The success of Paul–Joshua highlights the appeal of free-access mega fights and raises a key question: whether Netflix is prepared to become a long-term force in boxing promotion.
Image Credit: TNT Sports