America’s Jake Paul is back.
A year after having his jaw busted by UK heavyweight star Anthony Joshua, the crossover fighter dubbed ‘Problem Child’ has confirmed his comeback for Christmas Eve in Dubai.
In Australia, the event will fall early on Christmas Day.
Canelo v M’billi | Sunday November 1 from 5am AEDT | Pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez faces off against WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli | Order now on Kayo Sports.
In a release provided to Fox Sports Australia, Paul declared that while no opponent has yet been confirmed “we’ve got plenty of names on the list … let’s see who signs the contract”.
He then ended off with: “Merry Christmas, Santa Paul is coming to town and somebody’s getting knocked out”.
Speaking with ESPN this week, MVP chief executive Nakisa Bidarian said that while no opponent has yet been named, fans can draw a red line through both Englishman Tommy Fury and MMA star Francis Ngannou.
“We’re talking to a lot of people, not saying a lot of people’s names,” the CEO said. “But what I will say is we’re hopeful in the next two weeks we will announce his opponent.
“We’ve talked to many different opponents. It’s no secret we tried to do the Tommy Fury rematch, and that is not longer in discussion, I will say that.
“We’re also taking into account he’s been out for a year, he’s coming back from a broken jaw.”
Apart from calling for fights with both Fury and Ngannou, Paul has also revealed a list of 15 opponents he wants to face – among them Ryan Garcia, Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder and Conor McGregor in MMA.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
For this first return to the ring however, Bidarian said MVP will take a measured approach given Paul’s career was in doubt immediately after the Joshua loss.
“We’re certainly not going to put him in there — even though he would say he would do it — with Francis Ngannou this time out,” he said.
“Francis is a very big puncher, although Jake thinks he can beat him all day long.
“We want to do it the right way.
“I think fans will be excited by no matter who the opponent is because you want to see what version of Jake Paul you’re getting back. Everything we do with Jake is always special and unique and this one will be no different.”
Since making his professional boxing debut in 2020, Paul has competed in fights against an eclectic range of opponents including the likes of Joshua, Mike Tyson, Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Fury, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr.
“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face,” he declared after the announcement was made late on Thursday night (AEDT).
“Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward.
“I’m hungrier than ever and … returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey.
“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.
“We’ve got plenty of names on the list; let’s see who signs the contract.
“Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody’s getting knocked out.”
“Out On A Stretcher!” Reda’s Warning | 10:38
Bidarian also hailed the comeback.
“Jake Paul has spent his career challenging what people think is possible,” he said.
“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.
“Well, he’s back. And that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.
“This is more than a fight. It’s a global event in one of the world’s great destination cities, on one of the most special nights of the year, when families everywhere are together and watching.”