When asked about the negotiations between Pacquiao and Mayweather, Paul was firm in his stance. “This is the problem with boxing, people in the sport who aren’t professional, it makes us all look bad. There are so many egos. People think that they’re bigger or better than they are multiple times.”

Paul also slammed the multiple shenanigans that can stall or taint fighting negotiations. “It all comes down to things like ring size, what shoes you can wear, what gloves you can use. It’s like, stop and just fight.”

Mayweather vs Pacquiao II would be a massive event despite age

Arguably the best two boxers of the 21st century, Mayweather and Pacquiao faced each other past their primes, and way too late. It was also a controversial bout that Mayweather won by decision. Pacquiao fought with a torn rotator cuff, which he disclosed after the fight.

The bout was on May, 2015 and people always thought that a rematch with both healthy would be a sure fight. It never came to fruition. Now, with both fighters very aged, it would still be a massive event given the names implicated.

Will it be an exhibition or a professional bout?

That’s been one of the holdouts. Mayweather wanted it to be an exhibition, while Pacquiao wanted a pro fight. At first, it was announced as a professional bout, but Mayweather insists it isn’t. As of now, the fight is scheduled for September 19th, 2026.

The venue is also yet to be confirmed. At first, it was going to take place in The Sphere in Las Vegas. However, that hasn’t been set in stone either. It remains to be seen if the fight is going to actually take place, but for now, it’s a tug of war between both sides.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is an enterprise led by Jake Paul focused on premier sports events. On May 16, they will host an event featuring the return of Ronda Rousey, who will step back into action to fight Gina Carano.

The success of MVP’s events has raised questions about the UFC’s future. Now, Jake Paul has intensified these doubts by stating that UFC Freedom 250, which takes place at the White House, is one of the many mistakes he believes Dana White, who recently judged his fight against Anthony Joshua, is making with his enterprise.

“[Dana White is] not smart enough. Just look at what he’s doing,” Paul told Theo Von on his This Past Weekend podcast. “You don’t get Jon Jones on the White House card? First of all, Justin Gaethje is going to lose to Ilia [Topuria] on the White House card. So you have a Spaniard beating a white American on the patriotic White House card? Big mistake. Why are you not going to pay Jon Jones? They’ve gotten greedy, and they’ve forgotten their hearts as a company.”

Jake Paul is open to working with the UFC

Jake Paul has evolved from being an actor and YouTuber to an influencer, boxer, and entrepreneur. With his expansion into the entertainment business through MVP, he is sending a clear message that he intends to become a top businessman in the world of sports.

During his talk with Theo Von, Paul hinted at the possibility of the UFC acquiring MVP, but only if he could become part of the organization to guide it toward a better direction than the one he believes Dana White is currently leading it.

“I’m open to it. Buy us,” Paul added. “We’ll help you guys not be idiots. The amount of money you would spend—like, I don’t have an ego. I’ll work with anybody.”

Jake Paul believes MMA has stalled due to the UFC

According to Jake Paul, mixed martial arts has an extremely high ceiling for growth. However, he suggests that problems with fighter revenue, specifically within the UFC, may be the primary reason the sport is not growing as rapidly as it should.

“The NFL pays their athletes 50 percent of the revenue; so if the NFL makes a billion dollars, the athletes make $500 million,” the YouTuber said. “In the UFC, it’s $150 million out of a billion, but when you exclude Conor McGregor and Jon Jones from that, it becomes like 5 percent—$50 million out of a billion.”

Speaking on the CryptoMikli podcast, Jake Paul was questioned about who would win a boxing match between him and his brother, and he didn’t hesitate to make it clear that he thinks he would win without any problem.

“In boxing, I would beat him pretty easily,” Jake said. “I think he would probably agree, but I think he would think it would be closer. He would last like two rounds with me in boxing, maybe three.”

An MMA bout may have a different outcome

As Jake Paul has yet to find a boxing opponent following his loss to Anthony Joshua, he has been linked to mixed martial arts, with rumors of a bout against Oleksandr Usyk recently gaining significant traction.

However, Jake Paul is also aware of his limitations, and MMA is not currently one of his strengths. The “Problem Child” confessed that if he were ever to face Logan in an octagon, he would likely lose due to his brother’s superior wrestling experience.

“In MMA, I think he would actually have the advantage because he is really good at wrestling, and he can do like the splits, so I’m pretty sure he could kick me in the head. Like, he can kick high,” the influencer added.

Is Jake Paul’s boxing career over?

Last year, Jake Paul took on his biggest challenge to date by facing Anthony Joshua. The British champion defeated the YouTuber decisively, breaking his jaw in the sixth round to secure a knockout victory.

Following that defeat, rumors circulated about Paul potentially retiring from the ring. Nevertheless, he has stated that the loss taught him to prepare more rigorously for every fight, hinting that his career in the sport is far from over.

On June 13, Tommy Fury will return to the ring at the AO Arena in Manchester. He is set to face Eddie Hall, the former World’s Strongest Man, whose massive physique and 340-pound frame have made this “Beauty vs. The Beast” matchup a viral sensation.

While Fury typically weighs in around 205 to 210 pounds for his cruiserweight bouts, Hall is expected to tip the scales near the 340-pound mark. Despite this unprecedented size discrepancy, Fury has expressed confidence that his boxing pedigree and superior mobility will nullify Hall’s raw power.

“I don’t really pay too much attention on weight,” Tommy Fury told ESPN. “It’s about performance in the ring, in training. We go by that. I think it’s just about how I perform. It’s not my job to be big and strong in this fight.“

Is Jake Paul still on the horizon for Tommy Fury?

In 2023, Tommy Fury handed Jake Paul his first professional defeat via a split decision in Saudi Arabia. Since that night, fans have called for a sequel, and while rumors of a rematch have persisted for years, a firm agreement remains elusive.

The narrative shifted significantly in December 2025, when Jake Paul suffered a knockout loss to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua. That defeat left Paul with two titanium plates in his jaw and a long road to recovery.

Some analysts believe that facing a familiar rival like Fury in late 2026 would be the ideal “rebound” fight for Paul to reclaim his momentum in the crossover boxing space. As for Fury, his future depends entirely on the outcome of his clash with “The Beast.” While Fury is the heavy betting favorite, the combat sports world is wary of Hall’s “one-shot” power.

If Hall pulls off the upset, he could potentially steal the spotlight—and the payday—associated with a Jake Paul matchup, leaving Fury to join Paul in the “rebound” category. Will destiny bring them back together again?

After such a serious injury, many speculated that Jake Paul’s boxing career might be over. However, the influencer-turned-fighter is determined to continue, even if his future path leads him away from a traditional boxing ring.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Paul revealed that he expects to return to action by November or December 2026. While he plans to stay in boxing, he is also “serious” about potentially facing the Ukrainian heavyweight legend in a mixed martial arts contest.

“It’s definitely serious, but we’ll see what happens,” Jake Paul said about an MMA bout against Oleksandry Usyk. “I need to start training first. There’s too many things to do in life.”

A Tommy Fury rematch is currently off the table

Following his sixth-round defeat to Joshua, rumors suggested Paul might seek a rematch with the only other man to beat him, Tommy Fury. However, Paul has since rejected that idea, calling the Fury family “difficult to work with.”

“We’ve tried so many times with the Furys and they are just pretty daft,” he added. “I don’t need to grant someone life, no one’s heard of Tommy Fury. I’m not trying to negotiate any more with him. That’s where things stand there.”

Instead, Paul is looking for more “suitable” rivals as he reflects on the gap in skill exposed by Joshua. Reports suggest that even a rematch against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is being considered as a more realistic option for his return.

Has Jake Paul ever fought in mixed martial arts?

No, Jake Paul has never competed in a professional MMA fight, despite signing a multi-year deal with the PFL in early 2023. While he has a background in wrestling and has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has yet to step inside the cage.

Transitioning to MMA at this stage, especially after a major jaw surgery, remains a risky move. If Paul’s ultimate goal is to be taken seriously as a professional boxer, many analysts believe a move to the PFL could distract from his development in the “sweet science.”

Oleksandr Usyk is regarded as one of the most complete boxers in the heavyweight division. This reputation has led many to believe he could also shine in mixed martial arts, fueling speculation about a crossover fight in the near future.

Reports suggest that a match against UFC great Jon Jones could be an option if Usyk ever decides to try MMA. While Jake Paul has also been linked to a crossover fight against Usyk, the Ukrainian’s team has largely dismissed that scenario for the time being.

“A fight with Jake Paul in MMA at this stage is not being considered,” Team Usyk’s Sergey Lapin told Casinostugan (via The Mirror). “But we are always open to creative and interesting collaborations in the future. If we are talking about crossover fights, a very interesting matchup could be against Jon Jones in the United States. The best heavyweight in MMA against one of the best boxers of his generation could become a very big event if organized properly. Who is the baddest man on the planet?”

Jake Paul needs a recovery fight

Last December, Jake Paul faced Anthony Joshua in his toughest challenge to date. The influencer stepped into the ring against a former world champion who was clearly the superior boxer.

In the sixth round, Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out to secure the win. The British star landed a punch that caused a double fracture in Paul’s jaw, raising questions about the YouTuber’s capacity to compete at the heavyweight level.

Jake Paul has indicated that he wants to fight again; however, he likely needs a “recovery” bout to rebuild his confidence. This would involve facing another influencer or a boxer who is not at the same elite level as Joshua.

Reports suggest that while Paul wants a rematch against Joshua, his next fight will likely not be that one. A second bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Tommy Fury is reportedly on the table, as he needs a win to continue building his name in the boxing industry.

On December 19, Anthony Joshua defeated Jake Paul via a dominant knockout victory in which the Briton fractured the influencer’s jaw. Ten days later, he was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami.

Now, Joshua has returned and is ready for his next test. Many are wondering who his next rival will be, with a rematch against Jake Paul on the table due to the YouTuber’s thirst for revenge.

Is Anthony Joshua going to fight Jake Paul again?

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have been training together ahead of their respective returns to the ring. The Ukrainian is set to make his WBC heavyweight title defense against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Egypt.

On the other hand, Anthony Joshua—who was trained by Usyk for the Jake Paul bout—is scheduled to fight again in July. However, reports suggest that a rematch against the influencer is not his priority right now.

When Joshua defeated Paul, it was clear that the influencer was not at the same level as the Briton, whose punches heavily injured Paul by causing a double fracture to his jaw to end the fight.

Tyson Fury remains an option for Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury, another heavyweight star, has been strongly linked to a potential bout against Anthony Joshua. The ‘Gypsy King’ is set to return from retirement to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, 2026, and Joshua could be his next challenge.

Fury recently stated that he wants to face Joshua, but he must first defeat Makhmudov. If he is successful, the British star would be the clear choice for his next test.

While Sulaiman has previously defended Paul’s dedication to the sport, his stance has shifted following recent events. He noted that the lack of professional fundamentals among influencers makes them highly vulnerable to serious injury, especially when facing seasoned or much larger opponents.

The WBC president stressed that although these matches attract massive audiences and new fans, safety must remain the priority. He urged influencers who truly love the sport to transition into roles as promoters or supporters rather than continuing to risk their lives inside the ring.

“Very dangerous, because boxing is not a game. You cannot play boxing; it is a high-risk contact sport that depends on excellent physical preparation and the conditions of the individuals,” Sulaiman stated.

The risks of influencer bouts

The president’s comments follow the controversial “Ring Royale 2026,” which drew criticism from boxing legends like Juan Manuel Marquez. Sulaiman backed these concerns, stating that the novelty of celebrity fights is reaching a dangerous breaking point that requires stricter medical regulations and professional supervision.

While figures like Jake Paul have provided significant exposure to the sport, Sulaiman believes the focus needs to return to the integrity of professional rankings. He warned that without proper regulation, the current trend of “super-fights” between influencers and veterans could eventually lead to a tragedy in the ring.

“They are ruining boxing—the YouTubers, the influencers,” Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez said. “It just shouldn’t be possible. I respect them, right? But I don’t like that kind of thing because they don’t have a process. What do I mean by that? There is no amateur process. These YouTubers don’t train. Some of them don’t even run, exercise, or go to the gym.”

What is next for Jake Paul?

Jake Paul is currently at a crossroads in his career after his high-profile bout against Anthony Joshua in late 2025. Despite being ranked in the cruiserweight division, the WBC has made it clear that Paul must defeat a top-15 ranked contender to be considered for a world title shot.

During his bout against Joshua, Jake Paul suffered a double fractured jaw, raising concerns about whether influencers should box. However, the YouTuber is determined to continue his career in the sport despite this massive setback.

Leerdam entered the ice knowing the stakes were incredibly high. Her teammate Femke Kok had just delivered a stunning performance with a time of 1:12.59, briefly setting a new Olympic record. That mark had surpassed the previous record of 1:13.19 established by Japan’s Miho Takagi during the 2022 Beijing Games.

However, Leerdam produced a career-defining skate, clocking in at 1:12.31 to overtake her compatriot, secure the gold, and etch her name into the Olympic record books.

Immediately following the win, Paul took to his social media accounts to praise his fiance. “Juttttttttttaaaaaaaa. I can’t stop crying. You did it my love. Olympic Gold. God is great and so are you,” he wrote in an initial post. He followed it up with another emotional message: “We just witnessed one of the most important sporting moments ever. The doc will tell. Words can’t describe how proud of you I am”.

Leerdam will now turn her attention to February 15, where she is scheduled to compete in the 500-meter event, seeking to add another gold to the Netherlands’ medal tally.

Leerdam on achieving her dream

The road to gold was anything but easy. Leerdam faced the immense challenge of skating in the final pair against the defending champion, Takagi. Furthermore, seeing her own teammate break the record just minutes before her start added a layer of psychological pressure that many would find overwhelming.

“Everyone saw how hard of a position I had in the last pair, after a super good time. For everyone, it was surreal,“ Leerdam said, according to AP News. “It feels amazing. Just like the cherry on top of my career, basically. It’s perfect“.

The Dutch champion admitted that while Kok’s time was intimidating, it served as fuel. “Femke’s time was super fast. It gave me some pressure,” Leerdam said, according to The Sun. “I tried to use the pressure to my advantage and let it make me even sharper than normal. I do not think I ever felt as much pressure as in this race. But, on the other hand, I thrive off pressure. I always perform better under pressure”.

Some fans thought Paul might retire after the loss, which left him with a 12-2 record as a professional. Instead, he and his team are focused on making a strong return. The Most Valuable Promotions co-founder confirmed that Paul’s comeback is planned for the second half of 2026.

“He wants to come back,” Bidarian told Sky Sports. “He’s asking me to start negotiating some fights. Anywhere from August to November, you can expect Jake Paul back in the boxing ring. I want him to fight in the UK. That’s what I would love to see.”

Focus on recovery and preparation

Paul’s team is using the months ahead to ensure he fully recovers from his jaw injury and can train effectively. The goal is to put him in a strong position for a high-profile fight and give fans a chance to see him compete at his best.

He is also looking for the right opponent. Paul has shown he performs well in big fights, attracting attention from fans and media alike. The team wants to carefully plan his next matchup to maximize impact.

Tommy Fury rematch could be next

Ideally, Paul wants a rematch with Tommy Fury, who handed him his first professional loss in 2023. Bidarian highlighted that Paul has grown as a fighter and is ready to prove himself.

“I would love for that fight to happen because it’s a good measure of how far Jake has come,” Bidarian said. “There was more internet interest in Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury in the UK than any Tyson Fury fight over the past five years, and even more than any Jake Paul fight besides Mike Tyson. If we could do it in the UK or Europe, fans would go crazy.”

Leading into the fight, Jake Paul had some early success, landing several punches in the opening rounds. However, Joshua’s experience soon took over, and the former heavyweight champion dominated the latter half of the bout, highlighting the significant skill gap between the two fighters.

White, speaking to Complex News, expressed disbelief that the fight was sanctioned at all. “It’s crazy that that fight was even allowed to happen. Crazy,” he said. The UFC President emphasized that while Paul has an impressive record in his 14 professional bouts, facing an Olympic gold medalist and two-time heavyweight champion was a clear mismatch.

Was Jake Paul set up for failure against Joshua?

White criticized the decision to even stage the fight, noting the inherent risk and disparity in experience. “To even comment on it, I think everybody that was involved in that thing should be embarrassed, number one. And number two, it’s just not what I am into,” he said.

Despite the loss, White acknowledged that Paul could continue fighting as long as the audience and promoters support him. “I mean, I don’t know. As long as people keep wanting to pay and watch him fight, I guess he can keep doing it. It’s just not what I do,” White added.

Paul’s recovery

Following the defeat, Paul suffered a broken jaw and remains in recovery, currently suspended from competition. Joshua’s dominant performance reinforced his standing as one of boxing’s elite, while Paul faces uncertainty about his future in professional boxing.