The recent boxing events showcased dramatic shifts, unexpected outcomes, and tough lessons for some of the biggest names in the sport—and these results are sparking debate among fans and critics alike. But here's where it gets controversial... While mainstream headlines may focus on the headline-grabbing fights, the real story lies in who truly gained and who suffered significant setbacks during this busy weekend of fists flying across different platforms.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, Miami became the battle ground for the long-anticipated clash between YouTuber Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. In what many considered an upset, Joshua delivered a devastating blow in the sixth round, knocking Paul out and leaving him with a severely injured jaw—highlighting the brutal reality of heavyweight power in boxing (check out the replay here). The next day, the action shifted to Dubai for Misfits 23, a less traditional but highly entertaining event, where the unusual spectacle continued—featuring Chase DeMoor’s win over Andrew Tate in a fight often described as one of the most poorly executed bouts in recent memory, yet undeniably amusing (see the highlights). Meanwhile, UFC veteran Tony Ferguson made his second professional boxing appearance, defeating Warren Spencer in a bout that displayed Ferguson’s growing confidence and skill in the squared circle.
Biggest Winner: Tony Ferguson
Ferguson is undeniably the star of this weekend’s lineup. Known as ‘El Cucuy’, he is enjoying a surprising career renaissance. Since his transition to boxing under the Misfits banner, he has claimed the MFB Middleweight title with back-to-back victories. His win over Spencer wasn’t just another notch on his belt—it was a statement that he can still compete and succeed outside the UFC. Although his opponents so far haven’t been at the top of the boxing world, Ferguson’s progress is encouraging. If he maintains this trajectory and continues winning convincingly, he could become one of the prominent faces of Misfits Boxing, elevating his profile even further. And to clarify why Anthony Joshua isn’t listed here: his performance went largely as expected, and nothing extraordinary happened—the fight unsurprisingly ended with him claiming victory, which many predicted from the start.
Runner-Up: Anderson Silva
At 50 years young, Silva continues to defy expectations. The legendary MMA fighter showed he has retained much of his striking prowess by knocking out former UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in just the second round—a feat that surprised many fans (see how the fight unfolded). Silva’s victory boosts his boxing record to 4-2 and confirms that he still has the fire to pursue new challenges in the ring. If he keeps this momentum, he’s eyeing a showdown with his old rival Chris Weidman, hinting at the possibility of more memorable battles ahead.
Biggest Losers: Andrew Tate and Tyron Woodley
And this is the part most people miss—the fighters who faced unforeseen troubles and setbacks this weekend. Interestingly, Jake Paul isn’t on this list because no one really expected him to win against Joshua; rather, his performance possibly earned some respect for his willingness to step into a real boxing ring and go a few rounds with a true heavyweight (discuss the debate around his legitimacy here). Conversely, Andrew Tate’s loss to DeMoor was embarrassingly poor, especially considering Tate’s extensive kickboxing background and over 80 fights—yet in his return to the ring after a five-year hiatus, he looked out of his depth. There’s a valid question here: Can Tate regain confidence and re-enter the boxing scene with his reputation intact? As for Tyron Woodley, his performance was downright dismal against a man several years his senior, leaving his boxing record at 0-3. With no obvious plans to return to MMA, Woodley’s future in combat sports seems increasingly uncertain, and his string of losses only adds to the skepticism about his boxing prospects.
For full results, highlights, and comprehensive coverage of UFC Misfits Boxing 23 and Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, check out the detailed recaps here.
