YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will return to the ring on December 24 in Dubai, nearly a year after suffering a knockout defeat to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Paul announced his comeback on social media, saying he was “hungrier than ever” and ready to begin another chapter in his boxing career.
“All I want for Christmas Eve is boxing in Dubai,” he wrote.
“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face. Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working towards.”
The opponent for the fight is yet to be confirmed, but Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said the team was considering three or four names, with an announcement expected within the next two weeks.
Former UFC title challenger Darren Till is among those being considered, alongside two or three other fighters.
Bidarian said the priority was to secure an opponent who would provide a genuine test without having a significant advantage over Paul.
“Darren is definitely somebody we've had on the list. There are two or three names that are still under consideration,” he said.
The December bout will be Paul's first since Joshua stopped him in the sixth round of their heavyweight contest last December, leaving him with a broken jaw in two places and requiring surgery involving titanium plates.
Despite the defeat, Bidarian believes Paul could stand a better chance against Joshua if he had adequate preparation.
“I was pretty vocal that I didn't want him to do the fight on three weeks' notice,” he said.
He argued that Paul had been preparing to fight Gervonta Davis before taking on Joshua, who was naturally about 40 pounds heavier.
“If Jake had to do that with the right training camp he'd have a really good shot at beating AJ,” Bidarian said.
He also praised Paul's response to the injury, recounting that the boxer remained in the ring for an interview after the fight despite his broken jaw.
Bidarian said the comeback opponent would be selected based on commercial appeal and the level of challenge presented.
Paul's previous opponents include Mike Tyson, Julio César Chávez Jr, Nate Diaz and Joshua. Till, who now competes in Misfits Boxing, has publicly expressed interest in fighting him.
Paul's return will offer an opportunity to rebuild his boxing career after the damaging defeat to Joshua, although attention will remain on the identity and credentials of his next opponent.
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