Jake Paul Meets Cedric Doumbe In Christmas Eve Return
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Jake Paul will face former Glory kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe on Christmas Eve in Dubai as he attempts to rebound from a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua late last year.
Most Valuable Promotions announced the matchup, pairing Paul with the two-time Glory welterweight champion who currently fights MMA for the PFL but has not competed since 2024. Doumbe brings decorated kickboxing credentials but limited boxing experience — his lone professional bout came in 2015.
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Paul Dismisses Doumbe's Kickboxing Background
Paul dismissed Doumbe's previous challenges in a statement to BJPenn.com, arguing the Frenchman will struggle under boxing rules despite his striking pedigree. He acknowledged his own rust and the lingering effects of the Joshua fight while insisting the ruleset shift will neutralize his opponent's advantages.
Doumbe responded by targeting the injury Paul sustained in his last appearance. "I'm not sure how much talking he has left," he said of Paul's broken jaw, per BJPenn.com. The Frenchman promised to build on the damage Joshua inflicted.
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Paul suffered a broken jaw in the Joshua stoppage and many questioned whether he would return to boxing. The Christmas Eve bout marks his first test since that devastating loss, with observers watching for any hesitation after being knocked out for the first time.
The bout takes place in Dubai on December 24.
Photo: Paulblank http://www.postproduktie.nl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original reporting:
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