Netflix’s Boxing Bet Pays Off as Joshua-Paul Pulls 33 Million Viewers
Netflix continues its boxing takeover as Anthony Joshua’s TKO win over Jake Paul drew 33 million global viewers. Ranking #1 in 45 countries, the event cements the streamer’s role in the sport's future. Rumors of a Pacquiao-Mayweather II rematch suggest Netflix is just getting started for 2026.
Thirty-three million viewers tuned in to see Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) earn a sixth-round TKO of Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs), according to VideoAmp and Netflix. The six-round affair reached Netflix's Top 10 in 91 countries and ranked #1 in 45 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Comparatively speaking, Paul-Joshua outperformed Netflix's broadcast of Taylor-Serrano III in July, but fell short of the streaming platform's presentation of Crawford-Álvarez, which drew 41 million viewers.
Joshua's TKO victory against the social media sensation wrapped up a second year of boxing for Netflix. The streaming giant stepped into the squared circle last year with its presentation of Mike Tyson-Jake Paul, drawing a jaw-dropping 108 million viewers. In 2025, the platform brought three blockbuster events — Taylor-Serrano III, Crawford-Álvarez, and Paul-Joshua — to households globally. Entering 2026, the platform is rumored to be involved with other high-profile events, including Pacquiao-Mayweather II and Taylor-Rousey.
"In the live sports space, it's really about finding events that are going to create watercooler conversations and bring people from around the world to want to click on Netflix and watch it," Netflix Vice President of Sports Gabe Spitzer told Puck and Sports Business Journal's John Ourand.
With ESPN exiting the boxing space earlier this year, leaving only Zuffa Boxing with a broadcast or cable partner, the sweet science will continue to lean on streaming partners like DAZN, Prime Video and now, Netflix.
