Jake Paul returns to boxing on Dec. 24 in Dubai against former kickboxing champion Cédric Doumbe. The eight-round cruiserweight bout marks Paul's first fight since suffering a broken jaw in a December 2024 loss to Anthony Joshua. Paul, 29, called Doumbé "Cedric Douchebag" and accepted the challenge, stating "this isn't kickboxing mon ami.
This is BOXING." Doumbé, 34, boasts a 75-7-1 kickboxing record with 45 knockouts and a 9-second PFL MMA knockout. The fight stems from years of trash talk, with Doumbé claiming he will "finish the job Joshua started." Paul faces uncertainty after jaw surgery in December and February but intends to challenge for a world championship. Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian confirmed the fight makes "perfect sense." Paul has a 12-2 record with seven KOs, while Doumbé is 6-1 in MMA.
Public news conferences are scheduled for Nov. 10 in Paris and Nov. 12 in Dubai.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing