Jake Paul has declared that he will retire from boxing if he suffers defeat against MMA standout Cedric Doumbe in their scheduled bout on December 24 in Dubai. The fight marks Paul's return to the ring after a year-long hiatus, his last appearance being a stoppage loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last December.
A Comeback After Injury
Paul endured a severe injury in that fight, requiring two titanium plates and the removal of several teeth after Joshua fractured his jaw. Now, the 29-year-old American is set to make his comeback in a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight contest, with both fighters using 10oz gloves.
In a video posted on social media, Paul acknowledged the danger Doumbe presents. "This is a dangerous fight," he said. "Cedric has been in there with killers his whole career. He's a two-time world champion and he's not scared of anybody, including me 'The Vanilla Gorilla'. But this is my sport. No kicks, no takedowns, and no glass on the floor, we checked."
He continued with a stark warning: "If he wins, I will hang up the gloves and call it a day, but if he loses, the man who calls himself 'The Best' just got beat up by a YouTuber with a titanium jaw. So Cedric Doumbe, I, Jake Joseph Paul, will knock you out, embarrass you and defeat you on Christmas Eve. This fight is not going the distance and someone is getting put to sleep in the Middle East and it's not Santa."
Paul's Boxing Journey
Paul, who transitioned from social media influencer to professional boxer, has compiled a record of 12 wins and 2 losses. His defeats came against Tommy Fury and Joshua. In July 2025, he earned a spot in the WBA's cruiserweight rankings by defeating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but lost that ranking following his loss to Joshua. In that bout, Paul was knocked down twice before being stopped in the sixth round.
Doumbe, a Cameroonian-born Frenchman, is a multi-time kickboxing world champion who has transitioned to MMA. The 34-year-old is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), an MMA promotion that merged with Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in July. He has won two of his three fights since joining the PFL in 2023, but has only one professional boxing match to his name, which he won in 2015.
What's at Stake
The matchup presents an intriguing clash of styles and backgrounds. Paul, with his boxing experience and power, will face a dangerous striker in Doumbe, who is known for his knockout ability in kickboxing and MMA. The bout will test Paul's resilience and skill, especially after his recent injuries. For Doumbe, it's an opportunity to transition successfully into boxing and make a statement against a high-profile opponent.
Paul's promoter, Most Valuable Promotions, has been making waves in the combat sports world, and this fight is another example of their ambitious matchmaking. The event is expected to draw significant attention, given Paul's polarizing persona and Doumbe's reputation as a fierce competitor.
As the fight date approaches, the stakes are clear: for Paul, a loss could mean the end of his boxing career. For Doumbe, a victory would elevate his status and potentially open doors to more high-profile boxing matches. Fans around the world will be watching to see if Paul can back up his bold predictions or if Doumbe will silence him and send him into retirement.
