Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring next month against former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe, a matchup that has drawn sharp criticism from fans on social media.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer will face Doumbe on Christmas Eve at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The bout marks Paul's first appearance in the ring since his knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua last Christmas, a contest in which he sustained a broken jaw.
Paul and Doumbe trade words
Paul, who has been recovering from the injury, addressed the announcement directly. "Cedric [Doumbe] was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude [Zebo] out in nine seconds. Well, now you get your chance. I'm rusty, my jaw is janky and I don't have kickboxing world titles like you do. But guess what, this isn't kickboxing mon ami. This is BOXING. Just like [Oleksandr] Usyk feasted on Rico Verhoeven, I am going to eat you for dinner in Dubai on Christmas Eve."
Doumbe responded in kind, saying: "Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he's never faced a problem like me. Jake loves to talk, and so do I, but after what Joshua did to his jaw, I'm not sure how much talking he has left. I'm going to finish the job Joshua started."
Fans react to the matchup
The announcement prompted a wave of criticism from boxing fans. One fan commented: "Back to fighting people smaller than you lol." Another replied: "Ducking Darren till I see."
A third posted: "Just another no name that has some fighting accolades so Jake can get SOME credit when he flatlines the guy." Another questioned: "Back to MMA guys, really?" One enraged fan commented: "Nobody watching this bs." One fan wrote: "So you're boxing another MMA guy that hasn't fought in a few years. Sticking to the original playbook."
Fight details and records
The clash will be a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight bout, contested at 200lb with 10oz gloves. Doumbe has only one professional boxing fight to his name, a points win over Mohamed Fodil in 2015.
After conquering the world of kickboxing, the 34-year-old Doumbe switched to MMA in 2021. The Cameroonian-born French fighter has not competed since knocking out Jaleel Willis over two years ago.
