YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul has disclosed the brutal aftermath of his knockout defeat to former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, revealing he required surgery to insert four metal plates into a jaw broken in two places.
The Brutal Aftermath of a Heavyweight Clash
The controversial bout, which took place in Miami last month, ended decisively in the fifth round when Joshua dropped Paul twice before finishing the contest with a powerful right hand. Immediately after the fight, the 28-year-old Paul drove himself to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Paul admitted the recovery has been challenging, affecting even his basic rest. "The healing process has been a little bit tough," Paul stated. "I’m a little bit tired, it’s hard to sleep. I go onto the pillow and then my jaw twerks up to the left and I wake up." He spent Christmas consuming his dinner through a straw, a stark reminder of the severe injury.
Suspension and Ranking Fallout
The Florida Athletic Commission has responded to the knockout by handing Paul an indefinite medical suspension. He must now be medically cleared by doctors before he is allowed to fight again in the state. Despite this setback and the physical toll, Paul insists he will return to the ring later this year, likely in the summer.
His ambitions have suffered a further blow in the cruiserweight division, his more natural weight class. Paul has been completely removed from the WBA's cruiserweight rankings, eliminating any immediate path to a world title shot. He had originally entered the rankings at number 14 last July after a points victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Calling Out Ngannou Amid Recovery
Even while recovering, Paul's focus has shifted to another heavyweight powerhouse. Surprisingly, he has called for a fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, whom he labelled "lowkey soft" in comments on his IMPAULSIVE podcast. "I'll fight Francis," Paul declared, suggesting he believes he could perform better against the feared puncher than Joshua did.
This call-out comes despite Ngannou having previously turned down an offer to fight Paul. The American's wish for the Joshua showdown was only granted after his planned November fight with Gervonta Davis was cancelled due to Davis's legal issues.
While advisors are urging a return to cruiserweight, Paul's recent comments indicate his heavyweight ventures may not be over. For now, however, his immediate battle is a full recovery from the severe damage inflicted by Anthony Joshua.
