Jake Paul to fight Cedric Doumbe on Christmas Eve

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 13:52 · Archive

Jake Paul will return to boxing on 24 December in Dubai to fight former kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe.

Jake Paul has announced he will fight Cedric Doumbe on 24 December at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The bout will be a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight contest at 200lbs with 10oz gloves.

This marks Paul's return to the ring following his knockout loss to former British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in December 2025. Joshua broke Paul's jaw in the sixth round, an injury requiring multiple surgeries including the fitting of two titanium plates and the removal of some teeth. Paul is a 29-year-old American influencer-turned-boxer with a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, his defeats coming against Joshua and Tommy Fury.

Doumbe, 34, is a Cameroon-born Frenchman who is a former two-time welterweight world champion in kickboxing with a 75-7-1 record including 45 knockouts. He has more recently competed in mixed martial arts, where he has recorded six knockout victories in his first seven professional bouts. His explosive nine-second knockout of Jordan Zebo in September 2023 in Paris helped cement his reputation. He has only one prior professional boxing bout, a points victory over Mohamed Fodil in a four-round contest in 2015.

Doumbe is signed to the Professional Fighters League, an MMA promotion that merged with Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in July. Upon the announcement, Paul said he was 'rusty' and his 'jaw is janky' but insisted the fight was boxing, not kickboxing. Doumbe responded by saying Paul had 'never faced a problem' like him and vowed to 'finish the job Joshua started'.

In May, Paul had stated his boxing career was 'most definitely' in doubt following his injury, but he has now confirmed his return to action. The event will take place on Christmas Eve 2026.

How it is being reported

• Jake Paul to fight MMA star Cedric Doumbe in Christmas Eve boxing returnPaul is planning a comeback after his jaw was broken by Anthony Joshua in his last fight at the end of 2025.Independent Sport · 2 Nov, 13:28
• Jake Paul reveals Christmas Eve opponent and makes admission on broken jawThe YouTuber-turned-boxer will fight for the first time since his jaw was broken by heavyweight star Anthony JoshuaIndependent Sport · 2 Nov, 12:52
• Jake Paul announces next opponent - and fans are not happyJake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring next month and will take on former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe over in DubaiMirror Sport · 2 Nov, 12:29
• Paul to fight MMA star Doumbe on 24 DecemberMMA and kickboxing star Cedric Doumbe will welcome Jake Paul back to the boxing ring on 24 December in Dubai.BBC Sport · 2 Nov, 12:16
• Jake Paul confirms opponent for Christmas Eve fightJake Paul has confirmed kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe as his opponent for his return to the boxing ring in Dubai on Christmas Eve.Sky Sports · 2 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Jake Paul · Cedric Doumbe · Anthony Joshua · Dubai · Professional Fighters League

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log