By Salma El-Sakka
Jake Paul has declared he will retire from boxing if he loses to MMA star Cedric Doumbe on December 24 in Dubai.
Paul's Retirement Ultimatum
In a social media video, Paul described the bout as dangerous, acknowledging Doumbe's experience as a two-time world champion who has faced elite competition. Paul emphasized the fight will be strictly boxing with no kicks, takedowns, or glass on the floor. He vowed to knock out Doumbe on Christmas Eve, stating the fight will not go the distance.
Return After Joshua Defeat
The 29-year-old American has not fought since being stopped by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last December, a loss that left Paul with a broken jaw requiring two titanium plates and the removal of several teeth. Paul said in May that his boxing career was in doubt due to those injuries.
Fight Details and Records
The professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight contest will use 10-ounce gloves. Paul holds a 12-2 professional record, with defeats to Tommy Fury and Joshua. He briefly entered the WBA cruiserweight rankings in July 2025 after beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but lost that ranking following the Joshua loss.
Doumbe's Background
Cameroonian-born Frenchman Doumbe, 34, is a multi-time kickboxing world champion who transitioned to MMA and is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The PFL merged with Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in July. Doumbe has won two of three fights since joining the PFL in 2023 and has one professional boxing victory from 2015.
