Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has jokingly claimed that beating Jake Paul was part of a mission to drive the YouTuber-turned-boxer out of the sport.
Speaking on Ring Magazine's podcast, Joshua said he had been given a "strict message" to remove Paul from boxing, delivering the remarks with a smile.
"There was a strict message that was given and a task that was laid upon me, and that was to get rid of Jake Paul, remove him from our beloved sport, which is boxing," Joshua said.
"Whether that took me one round or six rounds, I believe the job was well and truly done. I definitely delivered."
Joshua was referring to his dominant sixth-round stoppage victory over Paul in a heavyweight showdown held at the Kaseya Center in Miami on December 19.
The British boxing star overwhelmed Paul throughout the contest, sending him to the canvas multiple times before referee Christopher Young waved off the fight at 1:31 of the sixth round following Paul's fourth knockdown.
Joshua had already floored the social media star twice in the fifth round before finishing the job in the next round.
The defeat left Paul nursing serious injuries, including a fractured jaw that required surgery. The 29-year-old later revealed that doctors inserted two titanium plates in his jaw and removed several teeth following the brutal encounter.
The injuries have since raised questions about whether Paul will ever return to the ring.
Speaking to Uncrowned, the influencer-turned-boxer admitted his future in the sport remains uncertain.
"We'll see what my doctors say," Paul said.
"I'll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or whether I can even fight again. That is definitely within the realm of possibilities. The jaw feels much better as time goes by, but I need medical clearance before I can spar again. Most definitely my boxing career could be over. It all depends on how the bone heals."
Despite criticism from boxing purists, Paul has become one of the sport's biggest attractions since making his boxing debut in 2018.
The American has headlined blockbuster events against fellow influencers, former UFC champions, and boxing legends, including a highly publicized clash with Mike Tyson.
However, after Joshua's devastating victory and the serious injuries that followed, fans are now waiting to see whether Jake Paul's boxing journey has finally reached its final round.