Boxing promoter Most Valuable Promotions announced that Jake Paul will fight on Christmas Eve in Dubai, marking the influencer’s return to the ring. The event is set to take place on Thursday, December 24, with the specific opponent to be revealed soon.
A comeback after injury
This bout represents Paul’s first fight since he faced former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last year. During that match, he suffered a double broken jaw before being knocked out in the sixth round. Paul holds a professional record of 12-2, with seven knockout victories since his debut.
Bidarian emphasized the challenge Paul has overcome to get back in the ring. “Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then many have doubted his desire or need to return to boxing,” the co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions stated. “Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”
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Paul shared his motivation for choosing Dubai. “Dubai is a city that thinks big, breaks boundaries, and doesn’t believe in limits. That’s exactly the kind of place I want to make my comeback,” he said. He also added, “Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody’s getting knocked out.”
Names on the shortlist
The fight announcement highlighted several names currently in the frame to face Paul. Potential opponents include former UFC fighters Darren Till and Francis Ngannou, Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr, and WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia.
Bidarian revealed that the shortlist has narrowed to three or four candidates. “We are down to three or four names, just trying to see ultimately who we get across the finish line,” Bidarian said News. “Darren [Till] is definitely somebody we’ve had on the list.”
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The team aims to announce the finalized opponent within the next fortnight. Paul’s career has seen him move through different weight classes, with a record of 12-2, and he has previously fought Mike Tyson.
“It’s going to be exciting, and, as every Jake Paul fight is, an even matchup. Every step Jake has taken based on experience or level has been evenly matched and he’s come through, other than the fight against Anthony Joshua, he has come through with flying colours. 13 months ago, he pressed me on fighting Anthony Joshua within a three week window, he pressed me he could beat him. He was knocked down, TKO’d, broken jaw in two places and now he’s back after a year off so just trying to manage the right opponent who has commercial viability, who is a true test but who doesn’t have a massive advantage versus Jake Paul.”
“I’m hoping whether it’s next week or week after we’ll announce who that opponent is.”
