"Anthony Joshua held back": Chad Ochocinco claims Jake Paul was given grace former 2x heavyweight champion in high-octane fight

Chad Ochocinco and Shannon Sharpe were two of the millions of people who watched the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul boxing bout on Netflix. The fight ended in a sixth-round knockout victory for the former two-time heavyweight world champion, Joshua.

Ochocinco believes that Joshua held back during the bout.

"I know one thing, Anthony Joshua held back. There were many wide-open shots that a fighter at his level takes. He held back," said Ochocinco on Nightcap.

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Many fans and analysts predicted that Anthony Joshua would knock out Jake Paul in the first round. However, the latter proved to be a savvy opponent in the earlier rounds.

According to Yahoo Sports, Paul employed plenty of lateral movement in the bout, refusing to engage much with the former world champion. The American fighter notably made his British opponent miss with a flurry of rights early in the contest and had some success with his jab.

However, Joshua entered his element in the later stages of the bout. He dropped Paul three times before the show, sealing a sixth-round knockout. Joshua called out fellow Brit Tyson Fury after the bout, while Paul indicated his intention to keep fighting.

Chad Ochocinco's Bengals face an uncertain future

Chad Ochocinco played for two teams in his NFL career. He spent ten seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and his final campaign with the New England Patriots.

Chad Ochocinco still holds numerous Cincinnati Bengals records, and he's a big fan of Joe Burrow and Co. His former team is having one of its most turbulent seasons in recent memory.

The Bengals have a 4-10 record entering Week 16. They've dealt with injuries to stars such as Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins, plus their defense is one of the worst in the AFC.

Joe Burrow has expressed his frustrations for the past few weeks. He cut a dejected figure after his team's blowout loss against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.

Next up for the Bengals is a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Here's how to watch the Week 16 showdown:

• Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
• Livestream: FuboTV and DAZN
• TV Channel: Fox

Edited by Nick Igbokwe