What’s Next For Jake Paul After The Joshua Loss
Jake Paul underwent surgery to repair a double fracture in his jaw following his sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.
Joshua dropped Paul four times throughout the bout. The final blow—a devastating right hand in the sixth—shattered Paul’s jaw in two places. Surgeons at Miami University Hospital inserted titanium plates to stabilize the fractures. Paul shared images from his hospital bed, confirming that everything went “smooth,” though he faces a week on a strict liquid-only diet due to significant pain and stiffness.
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The loss and subsequent injury appear to have closed the door on Paul’s time as a heavyweight. Promoter Nikisa Bidarian confirmed that once Paul completes his expected four-to-six-week recovery, the focus will shift back to his natural weight class: “We think he broke his jaw. But he’s fine. He took a shower, he drove himself to hospital. A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA. The recovery time is four to six weeks,” Bidarian said
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The most logical fight for Paul’s return is a rematch with the only man to beat him at his own weight. Despite the Joshua loss, Paul’s only defeat at cruiserweight remains his 2023 split-decision loss to Tommy Fury. For Paul, this is about legacy and proving he has evolved. Fury, currently 11-0, has expressed interest but noted he needs “warm-up bouts” to regain sharpness. A 2026 clash would likely be the biggest commercial event in the division.
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If Paul wants to skip the line and go straight for a belt, Gilberto Ramirez is his most likely target. Ramirez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and is ranked #1 in the division. Historically, Ramirez has been open to the fight because of the massive payday it guarantees. However, the timing is tricky; Ramirez is currently linked to a potential fight against David Benavidez in May 2026.
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The most dangerous man in the division is the IBF champion, Jai Opetaia. The Australian is widely considered the best cruiserweight in the world and has been incredibly active through 2025. Opetaia’s promoter has recently stated they are looking for “mega-fights” in 2026, and they haven’t ruled out Paul. For Jake, this is the ultimate risk-reward scenario.
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Former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith is currently looking for a path back to a world title after losing to Ramirez. “The Gentleman” is known for his durability and high work rate, making him a perfect “litmus test” for Paul. If Paul can’t get a direct title shot, facing a high-profile former champion like Billam-Smith in a UK stadium would be a massive draw.
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Badou Jack “The Ripper” has long been a name linked to Paul. As a former three-division world champion who recently held a cruiserweight title, Jack represents the “old guard.” He is technically superior but, at 42 years old, he fits the profile of the older legends Paul has successfully targeted in the past (like Anderson Silva or Mike Tyson). Jack’s future is uncertain after his loss to … in his last bout.
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