Jake Paul plans to return to boxing this year.
Jake Paul is a figure whose presence in boxing very much represents the modern era of the sport. A Vine star who gained further popularity on YouTube and then appeared on Disney Channel, the American was never a boxer at any point until he tried his hand at the craft against fellow social media personality Deji in 2018.
Since then, Paul has stormed through the front doors of boxing like a guest that nobody seems to remember inviting over. He has taken a seat at the table, placed his feet atop it while leaning back in his chair, and placed his hands behind his head.
That is what he embodies to many: An out-of-place figure who has managed to make himself at home. He has become one of the biggest draws in the profession while mainly engaging in novelty bouts and curious events overall.
Yet he has also done a lot for women’s boxing with Most Valuable Promotions, which he co-founded alongside Nakisa Bidarian.
In short, no-one is quite sure what to make of him.
When last he appeared, Paul lost to Anthony Joshua in a bizarre December spectacle. He has been out of the ring since, but we now have further word on what his next moves may be.
Nakisa Bidarian, speaking to BBC Sport, stated, “I think his focus is on cruiserweight, outside of a potential boxing match against Francis Ngannou. His goal is to return before year-end.”
Paul’s bout with Joshua was at heavyweight, which is where he would have to be if he were to face former UFC champion Ngannou.
Ngannou is set to face Philipe Lins on the undercard of Ronda Rousey’s fight with Gina Carano, an MVP-promoted event.
At a news conference to promote the show, Ngannou and Paul traded verbals, igniting the touchpaper for a potential fight between the pair.
Ngannou has previously fought both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in professional boxing outings, losing on both occasions in very different manners.
So, between the two men who have both engaged in the curious side of the sport, a fight is bound to prove intriguing to many people.
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