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Paul to fight MMA star Doumbe on 24 December
Jake Paul has announced he will return to boxing against MMA fighter Cedric Doumbe in Dubai on 24 December. The bout will be his first since Anthony Joshua broke his jaw in their December fight, making the announcement a return to action after a serious injury.
The professionally sanctioned contest will be held at Coca-Cola Arena over eight rounds at cruiserweight, with 10oz gloves. Doumbe, a former kickboxing world champion, has won two of three fights since joining the Professional Fighters League in 2023, but has boxed professionally only once. Paul has won 12 of 14 professional bouts; Joshua stopped him in the sixth round after knocking him down twice.
In short
- Paul returns to boxing on Christmas Eve in Dubai.
- He will face MMA fighter Cedric Doumbe.
- The eight-round bout follows Paul's jaw injury against Joshua.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that Paul is entitled to return to a professionally sanctioned contest once he is medically cleared, and that a bout with Doumbe offers a legitimate sporting challenge: Doumbe has elite kickboxing credentials and mixed martial arts experience, while Paul has far more professional boxing experience. The event may also give both fighters a high-profile opportunity and audiences a compelling crossover contest.
The case against
Critics can argue that the mismatch in boxing experience makes the contest hard to assess as a fair test, since Doumbe has boxed professionally only once while Paul has had 14 professional bouts. Given Paul's recent serious jaw injury, they may also question the timing of his return and whether the event's spectacle risks overshadowing the sporting and health considerations.
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