Jake Paul possesses the capability to defeat Anthony Joshua in a rematch should he undertake a full training camp rather than stepping in on short notice, according to MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. According to Sky Sports, Bidarian believes the crossover fighter's December encounter with the former two-time heavyweight world champion exposed vulnerabilities that could be exploited with adequate preparation.
The December 2025 clash saw Joshua inflict severe damage on Paul, breaking his jaw in the sixth round and forcing the removal of several teeth alongside the insertion of two titanium plates into his mouth. Joshua knocked Paul down four times and won by sixth-round knockout, marking the most significant step-up in Paul's crossover boxing career.
Bidarian expressed his reservations about the circumstances surrounding that bout, stating that he had been vocal in his opposition to the arrangement.
I was pretty vocal that I didn't want him to do the fight on three weeks' notice,Bidarian explained. The MVP executive highlighted that Paul's performance against Joshua compared favourably to the opponent Joshua faced in July, noting that
He did better than the guy Anthony Joshua fought in July [Prenga] and was not KO'd.
The rushed nature of the matchmaking proved problematic, with Paul transitioning from weight-cutting preparations for a bout against Gervonta Davis to facing an opponent naturally 40 pounds heavier.
I don't think it was a massive overshoot, Jake landed quite a few times on AJ and you saw in July AJ is vulnerable but it was too fast, not enough prep time.Bidarian contended that with adequate training camp conditions,
If Jake had to do that with the right training camp he'd have a really good shot at beating AJ.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Paul has demonstrated resilience in his recovery. Paul was cleared to resume full-contact training earlier in October, according to ESPN. Bidarian highlighted Paul's mental fortitude following the defeat, recounting the fighter's own assessment of the encounter.
One of the things Jake said last week was, 'I'm a bigger dog than I've ever been because none of those punches actually hurt, sure he broke my jaw and I fell down but if you saw my face I said woah, that was a zinger, that felt good'.Bidarian emphasised the extraordinary nature of Paul's composure in the aftermath, adding that
Tell me who else breaks their jaw in two places, stands in the ring and does and interview for 10 minutes talking about the fight. That's who the warrior Jake Paul is.
Joshua has since moved forward with his own career trajectory. Following victories over Kristian Prenga in July, during which he overcame two first-round knockdowns, Joshua is now preparing for a long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown against Tyson Fury scheduled for December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Dubai return and opponent negotiations
Paul has announced his return to competitive boxing with a return bout in Dubai on December 24, 2026; no opponent or venue has been confirmed. This marks his first scheduled bout since the Joshua encounter, representing a significant comeback following his year away from the ring.
The potential opponent list has narrowed considerably as negotiations progress. Bidarian revealed that the field has been reduced to three or four candidates, with Darren Till among those under serious consideration.
Darren [Till] is definitely somebody we've had on the list. There are two or three names that are still under consideration.
Bidarian outlined the criteria guiding the selection process, emphasising the balance between competitive integrity and commercial appeal.
It's going to be exciting, and, as every Jake Paul fight is, an even match-up. Every step Jake has taken based on experience or level has been evenly matched and he's come through, other than the fight against Anthony Joshua, he has come through with flying colours.
The MVP executive acknowledged the challenge of managing Paul's comeback appropriately.
Thirteen months ago, he pressed me on fighting Anthony Joshua within a three-week window, he pressed me he could beat him. He was knocked down, TKO'd, broken jaw in two places and now he's back after a year off so just trying to manage the right opponent who has commercial viability, who is a true test but who doesn't have a massive advantage versus Jake Paul.
Paul's professional record currently stands at 12–2, with seven knockouts, and the Dubai event is set to be his 15th professional fight. His resume already includes notable names such as Mike Tyson, Julio César Chávez Jr, Nate Diaz and Joshua, demonstrating his willingness to pursue high-profile matchups throughout his crossover career.
What happens next
MVP has signalled its intention to resolve the opponent question imminently.
I'm hoping whether it's next week or week after we'll announce who that opponent is,Bidarian told Sky Sports News. The announcement is expected within the coming weeks as negotiations with the shortlisted candidates continue to progress toward completion.
