New York:Jake Paul has raised the stakes ahead of his boxing comeback, declaring that he will retire from the sport if he suffers defeat against former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe in their scheduled December 24 showdown in Dubai.
The American YouTuber-turned-boxer is preparing to return to the ring after a lengthy absence following his knockout defeat to former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last December.
Paul suffered a sixth-round knockout against Joshua, sustaining a broken jaw that required two surgeries. After spending around 10 months recovering from the injury, he is now preparing for what promises to be a challenging comeback against the French combat sports star.
In a bold statement shared through a social media video on Tuesday, Paul acknowledged the danger posed by Doumbe and insisted that the outcome could determine the future of his boxing career.
“This is a dangerous fight,” Paul said.
He also praised his upcoming opponent’s experience and fighting credentials, describing him as a two-time world champion who has competed against some of the toughest fighters in combat sports.
Paul then made his retirement declaration, saying: “If he wins, I will hang up the gloves and call it a day, but if he loses, the man who calls himself ‘The Best’ just got beat up by a YouTuber with a titanium jaw.”
Doumbe Brings Extensive Kickboxing and MMA Experience
Doumbe will enter the contest with an impressive background in kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
The 34-year-old French fighter enjoyed considerable success in kickboxing, compiling a reported professional record of 75 wins, seven defeats and one draw before transitioning to MMA.
He has also established himself as a dangerous competitor inside the cage, winning six of his first seven professional MMA contests.
One of his most memorable victories came in September 2023, when he knocked out Jordan Zebo in just nine seconds, producing one of the quickest stoppages in recent MMA history.
Doumbe’s most recent completed fight was a first-round technical knockout victory over Jaleel Willis on May 17, 2024. After stepping away from competition to focus on family and personal matters, he is now preparing for another major challenge.
The contest against Paul will also mark his return to professional boxing, where he has a limited record of one victory from his previous appearance in April 2015.
Jake Paul Looks to Rebuild After Joshua Defeat
Paul heads into the contest with a professional boxing record of 12 wins and two defeats. His two losses have come against Britain’s Tommy Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Having built his boxing career after finding fame on YouTube, Paul has gradually taken on more established names from the combat sports world.
However, his defeat to Joshua exposed the challenge of competing against elite-level heavyweight opposition. The injury and subsequent recovery period have made his upcoming return particularly significant.
A victory over Doumbe would provide Paul with an opportunity to rebuild his reputation, while a defeat would potentially bring his boxing career to an end if he follows through on his retirement promise.
Paris and Dubai Promotional Events Planned
Paul and Doumbe are scheduled to attend promotional events in Paris on November 10, followed by another media appearance in Dubai two days later.
Their December 24 encounter is set to be an officially sanctioned professional cruiserweight boxing contest, scheduled for eight rounds of three minutes each.
With Paul putting his boxing future on the line and Doumbe bringing an accomplished kickboxing and MMA background, the Dubai showdown has already generated considerable interest.
For Paul, the stakes are clear: win and continue his boxing journey, or lose and potentially walk away from the sport.
