Jake Paul to make boxing return on Christmas Eve in Dubai with opponent to be revealed - Sky Sports

Jake Paul Returns to the Ring on Christmas Eve in Dubai

Jake Paul will return to professional boxing on Thursday, December 24, in Dubai, marking his first fight since suffering a broken jaw against Anthony Joshua, Sky Sports reported. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced that the bout is officially signed, with the opponent’s identity still to be revealed in the coming weeks.

All I want for Christmas Eve is boxing in Dubai.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 toward. I'm hungrier than ever, and on… pic.twitter.com/a4jWmDpbAz

— https://x.com/jakepaul/status/2115761431698186652

The Christmas Eve event takes place under a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and MVP. Paul enters the comeback with a 12-2 professional record featuring seven knockouts, dating back to his debut and including a 2024 bout against Mike Tyson, according to Sky Sports. His last appearance inside the ring came last December, when former two-time unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua landed a sixth-round knockout punch that resulted in a double broken jaw for Paul.

Potential Opponents and MVP Negotiations

While MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian stated that the promotion is finalizing an opponent worthy of the return, several names have emerged in recent discussions. Bloody Elbow reported that former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till is considered a frontrunner, noting that Till claimed he is waiting on a contract from Paul’s team despite having one fight left on his current contract with BKFC. Additional names previously discussed by the promotion include former UFC fighters Francis Ngannou and Darren Till, alongside British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. and WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia.

Jake Paul at PFL New York — Photo: bloodyelbow.com

“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face,” Jake Paul said in a press release issued by MVP. “Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward. I’m hungrier than ever, and on Thursday, December 24, I’m returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey.”

Nakisa Bidarian addressed the doubts surrounding Paul’s future following the severe injury against Joshua. “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,” Bidarian said. “Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”

Further details regarding the fight card, venue specifics, and the official opponent announcement are expected to be released by MVP in the coming weeks ahead of the December 24 event.

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