Jake Paul just dropped a bombshell, saying he "learned his lesson" fighting Anthony Joshua, and honestly, the boxing world is buzzing! Remember December, when Joshua absolutely shattered Paul’s jaw and stopped him in six rounds down in Miami? That brutal knockout was Paul’s second pro career loss, after getting outpointed by Tommy Fury back in 2023, and he hasn't stepped in the ring since. But now, seven months later, the 29-year-old YouTube-turned-boxer is back with a positive update on his return to fighting.
The Return of the Problem Child
Paul told The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that he's "going to get cleared officially to spar in the next couple of weeks." Can you believe it? He’s getting back to it, ready to "keep on fighting, maybe do some MMA." And about that jaw, Paul's got an almost scary update, saying it "heals back stronger." He also threw out a pretty clear hint about his future opponents, declaring, "I just probably won’t fight Olympic gold-medal heavyweights anymore. I learned my lesson." Sounds like he's picking his battles more carefully this time. He confirmed he's "definitely still fighting," and talks are already happening with multiple opponents to figure out his comeback date. Plus, he's still pushing hard for an MMA debut, with the Nate Diaz MMA fight "still on the table" for the next year or two. We all saw Paul drop and outpoint Diaz in their 2023 boxing match, and Diaz even fought on Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions MMA card in May, where he lost to Mike Perry via corner stoppage.AJ's Comeback and Paul's Big Targets
Speaking of big fights, Paul even talked about a potential mega-bout with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, whose exhibition with Paul's brother Logan in 2021 made headlines. Paul's take on Mayweather? "He needs the money." He's playing it close to the chest, saying, "We’re talking to a lot of people, I can’t comment , boxers, MMA guys." This kid is always aiming high, isn't he? Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua is also making his return to the ring. He’s fighting Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25, his first bout since facing Paul. This is huge, not just because it's his first time fighting since the Paul bout, but because it’s also his first time out since surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December, an accident that tragically claimed the lives of two of his teammates. This fight is a warm-up for the long-awaited, all-British clash with Tyson Fury, which could go down at London’s Wembley Stadium in November. The Saudi matchmaker, Turki Alalshikh, has one condition, though: the main event needs to start at 2 AM BST on a Sunday morning. Talk about high stakes and late nights!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.