Jake Paul has confirmed he will return to the boxing ring in December, a year after his defeat to Anthony Joshua. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is set to fight an as-yet-unnamed opponent in Dubai on Christmas Eve.
In late December 2025, Paul suffered the first knockout loss of his career when two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua broke the American's jaw en route to a sixth-round stoppage. The fight marked Paul's step up in weight, as the career cruiserweight, now holding a record of 14-2 (7 KOs), faced Joshua in a heavier division.
Potential Opponents and Callouts
Paul's next opponent could tip the scales at any weight, given his recent callouts. The American has previously offered to fight super-middleweight Chris Eubank Jr, current welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia, bridgerweight Darren Till, and heavyweight Francis Ngannou.
Speaking about the fight set for Thursday, December 24, Paul stated: "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 Thursday, December 24, I'm returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey."
Dubai Comeback and Career Context
He added: "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."
The 29-year-old has predominantly fought inside the United States, with one bout in American territory Puerto Rico and another in Saudi Arabia. Tommy Fury earned a split-decision victory over Paul in the Middle East back in February 2023.
The 12-month gap in bouts is a rarity in Paul's career since it began in 2020. He has averaged two bouts a year before the inactivity, leading many to question his future in the sport.
