Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) will headline a Most Valuable Promotions event on Dec. 24 in Dubai, his first bout since a sixth-round loss to Anthony Joshua.
Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) will return to the boxing ring on Dec. 24 for a headline event in Dubai, Most Valuable Promotions announced Thursday. The 29-year-old has not competed since Dec. 19, 2025, when Anthony Joshua stopped him via sixth-round knockout during a heavyweight bout in Miami. That loss resulted in a double broken jaw for Paul, requiring surgical procedures in both December and February.
Medical professionals cleared Paul to resume full contact earlier this month following nearly a year of recovery. While an opponent for the Christmas Eve card has not been named, Paul's desired matchup list includes Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, Deontay Wilder, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, and Darren Till. MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian specifically expressed interest in Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, while ruling out Francis Ngannou as an immediate option.
Prior to the Joshua defeat, Paul maintained a six-fight winning streak that included a victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November 2024. The upcoming Dubai appearance marks the start of what Paul describes as the next chapter of his career after proving his fitness following the injury sustained one year ago.
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