Jake Paul eyes 2026 boxing return at cruiserweight or vs Ngannou

Jake Paul is planning a boxing comeback before the end of 2026, targeting either a return to cruiserweight or a heavyweight matchup with Francis Ngannou. Paul has been out of action since Anthony Joshua knocked him out in the sixth round last December, an injury that required surgery to repair a broken jaw.

Nakisa Bidarian, Paul's business partner at Most Valuable Promotions, told BBC Sport that the 29-year-old has his sights set on the lower weight class but remains open to facing the former UFC heavyweight champion. "I think his focus is on cruiserweight, outside of a potential boxing match against Francis Ngannou," Bidarian said. "His goal is to return before year-end."

What's next for Paul after Joshua knockout

Paul had two titanium plates inserted and teeth removed following the Joshua loss, which dropped him from the WBA cruiserweight rankings. Bidarian confirmed Paul is back in the gym, posting that he saw photos of Paul training with his boxing coach this week. The YouTuber-turned-boxer already has history with Ngannou, goading the Cameroonian at a March news conference in Los Angeles by claiming he "ran away from him like a duck." Ngannou, who lost back-to-back boxing matches to Tyson Fury and Joshua in 2023 and 2024, fired back: "I really didn't want to fight you, but now I want to beat you."

Bidarian also floated the possibility of Paul crossing over to MMA, naming the winner of Nate Diaz versus Mike Perry on the Rousey-Carano undercard as a potential opponent. Paul holds boxing wins over both Diaz and Perry but has called for an MMA rematch with Diaz. Bidarian said Paul would need six to eight months of dedicated MMA training, particularly in jiu-jitsu, though he noted Paul's high school wrestling background. Ngannou meets Philipe Lins on May 16 at the MVP-promoted event.

Source: bbc.com