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Jake Paul’s return to the cruiserweight division has suffered after The Problem Child confirmed that he has had a second major operation on his jaw, just two months after his heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua.

The setback follows the December 19 knockout loss in Miami, where a sixth-round right hand from Joshua fractured Paul’s jaw in two separate locations. While the emergency surgery on December 20 successfully stabilized the double fracture with two titanium plates, Paul revealed on Instagram that the recovery process was compromised.

Paul’s Surgery

“Had to get another jaw surgery. The screws and plates were coming loose because apparently I didn’t rest for the past 2 months whaattttttttt.”

As for Joshua, his future has become slightly clearer. Eddie Hearn confirmed the former two-time champion is now eyeing a late summer return, likely in July 2026. The boxing world has been in a state of uncertainty regarding Joshua’s future after he was involved in a fatal collision with a stationary truck on a major highway near Lagos, Nigeria. While Joshua emerged with only minor physical injuries, the accident claimed the lives of two of his most vital team members and closest friends: Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. However, a return could be close. 

“Originally the plan with ‘AJ’ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August. That’s not happening. He’s not fighting Tyson Fury next. He’s going to come back, I believe, in late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp. So, I’m planning, but he’s just resting and preparing. So, for me, I’m looking at options to get him back in the ring in July time, but we’ll only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp, which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks or a month,” Hearn said 

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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