Jake Paul has announced that he will retire from boxing if he is defeated by MMA fighter Cedric Doumbe in their upcoming match on December 24 in Dubai. This fight marks Paul’s first appearance in the ring since he was stopped by former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last December.
Following his loss to Joshua, Paul underwent surgery to have two titanium plates installed and some teeth removed due to a broken jaw. Despite the severity of his injuries, he is set to return after a year away from professional boxing. In a video posted on social media, Paul acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing Doumbe as a seasoned fighter and two-time world champion who’s unafraid of any opponent, including himself, “The Vanilla Gorilla.” However, Paul emphasized that boxing differs from other combat sports, with no kicks or takedowns involved.
Paul stated, “If he wins, I will retire, but if I win, the man who calls himself ‘The Best’ will have been defeated by a YouTuber with a titanium jaw.” He confidently predicted a knockout against Doumbe, promising that the fight won’t go the distance and that someone will be “put to sleep in the Middle East — and it’s not Santa.”
Earlier this year, Paul had hinted that his boxing future was uncertain due to the injuries sustained against Joshua. The American, now 29, will compete in a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight bout wearing 10oz gloves. His professional record stands at 12 wins and 2 losses, with defeats to Tommy Fury and Anthony Joshua.
In July 2025, Paul entered the WBA cruiserweight rankings after defeating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but he lost his ranking in January following the Joshua fight. Against Joshua, Paul was knocked down twice before being stopped in the sixth round.
Doumbe, originally from Cameroon and now a French national, is a former multi-time kickboxing world champion who transitioned to MMA. At 34 years old, he fights under the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which recently merged with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. While Doumbe has secured two wins in three PFL fights since 2023, he has only one professional boxing match on record, a victory in 2015.
Fan Take: This fight represents a fascinating clash of disciplines, where a high-profile crossover star faces a decorated MMA veteran, highlighting the growing intersections between combat sports. For fans, it’s a potential turning point that could reshape perceptions of boxing’s openness and the viability of crossover athletes competing at high levels.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
