Jake Paul eyes 2026 boxing return at cruiserweight or vs Ngannou

Jake Paul is targeting a boxing comeback before the end of 2026, with cruiserweight his focus or a potential heavyweight bout against Francis Ngannou, according to his business partner Nakisa Bidarian.

Paul, who broke his jaw in a sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua last December, recently returned to the gym after surgery that included fitting two titanium plates and removing several teeth. The setback cost him his spot in the WBA's cruiserweight rankings.

Ngannou confrontation sets up potential fight

Bidarian told BBC Sport that Paul's "focus is on cruiserweight, outside of a potential boxing match against Francis Ngannou" and confirmed "his goal is to return before year-end." The former UFC heavyweight champion fought Tyson Fury and Joshua in boxing matches that both ended in defeats, making him a target for Paul's crossover ambitions.

At a news conference in Los Angeles last month promoting an upcoming card, Paul goaded Ngannou by saying he ran away from him "like a duck." Ngannou, who fights Philipe Lins on 16 May, shot back: "I really didn't want to fight you, but now I want to beat you."

Paul remains open to an MMA bout as well. Bidarian said the winner of Nate Diaz's upcoming fight with Mike Perry would be "a great MMA match-up" for Paul, who beat both fighters in separate boxing matches. Paul has previously stated he would need six to eight months of focused MMA training, particularly in jiu-jitsu, to make the transition despite his high school wrestling background.

Source: bbc.com