Jake Paul Announces Plan For His Return To Boxing

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Jake Paul Announces Plan For His Return To Boxing

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 2:21 PM ET

It's been five months since Jake Paul suffered his first knockout loss at the hands of heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Unfortunately for fans hoping to either see him rebound or get knocked out again, we may not see him in the ring again for another nine months or more.

In an interview with TMZ, Paul said that he's been undergoing a long healing process from the jaw injury he suffered in his loss to Joshua. But he's still making plans to get back in the ring and hopes to be ready by late-2026 or early-2027.

"I'm finally feeling healthy again," Paul said. "The jaw is definitely recovering... I think it's either late 2026 or early 2027."

Paul explained that he has to undergo tests and see multiple doctors before he can be cleared to fight again. But he said he's eager to get back into the ring and

"I'm eager. You know, I stepped away from the sport for a little bit and it revitalized my energy to want to come back and the love I have for the sport. So it's been good to take a little bit of a step back and then rebuild that love, and I'm excited to come back in and continue to do massive events."

Jake Paul Gunning To Return To Ring By Early '27, Intrigued By Ngannou Fight | Click to read more https://t.co/WrXQq4ePKf pic.twitter.com/MLsEMMsPK5
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 14, 2026

The Opponent? The Predator?

As far as his next potential opponent goes, there's one name on Paul's mind: Francis "The Predator" Ngannou. The former UFC champion may be 0-2 as a boxer, but he's impressed everyone by how well he's managed to hold his own against Joshua and Tyson Fury - the two top boxers int he entire world.

Paul believes that Ngannou would be motivated to fight him and that it could be "amazing."

"I think [Ngannou] getting knocked out unconscious by Anthony Joshua in like one or two rounds and then seeing me just take on Anthony Joshua for six rounds. Obviously, I ended up on the canvas too, but not unconscious," Paul said.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 22: Francis Ngannou of Cameroon battles Ciryl Gane of France during the UFC 270 event at Honda Center on January 22, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)Cooper Neill/Getty Images

"I think he realized like, 'oh snap, this kid is actually a lot better than I thought.' And I think there's a chip on his shoulder that I went three times as long as him. And then I'm sitting there talking smack to him. I think me versus Francis is an amazing fight."

Ngannou is currently scheduled to return to MMA in May to take on Philipe Lins as part of a fight card made by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions company.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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