Jake Paul is fighting again. His Most Valuable Promotions announced Thursday morning that Paul will headline a card in Dubai on Christmas Eve, December 24, his first fight since Anthony Joshua broke his jaw last December.
There is no opponent yet, and Paul is not pretending there is. The announcement says the other name will be revealed in the coming weeks, and Paul says his side is still working through a list.
“Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody’s getting knocked out.”
Jake Paul, in the MVP announcement
The comeback was not a given. Joshua knocked Paul down and stopped him in the sixth round in Miami, and the loss left Paul with a double broken jaw that needed surgery. In May he said his boxing career was “most definitely” in doubt. His team said earlier this month that he had been cleared to return.
Reports have linked former UFC fighter Darren Till as a frontrunner for the spot, but nothing is signed. No broadcast deal has been announced either. Paul is 12 and 2 as a pro, and Dubai will be the first fight of his career there.
“We’re finalizing an opponent worthy of Jake’s return and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.”
Nakisa Bidarian, MVP co-founder
A year ago the question was whether Paul would ever fight again. Now the only question left is who is standing across from him on Christmas Eve.