Jake Paul to face Cédric Doumbé in Christmas Eve boxing return

AI-generated illustration.

Jake Paul will return to professional boxing against former kickboxing world champion Cédric Doumbé at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Thursday, 24 December. Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the Christmas Eve contest on Monday, naming the opponent for Paul’s first fight in a year.

The bout is scheduled for eight rounds at cruiserweight, with a 200lb limit and 10oz gloves. It will be Paul’s first professional appearance in Dubai.

Paul has not boxed since Anthony Joshua stopped him in the sixth round in December 2025. He suffered a broken jaw in that defeat and returns with a professional record of 12 wins and two losses, including seven knockout victories.

The American made his professional debut in 2020. His other defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023, while his most recent win was over former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr in June 2025.

Doumbé, born in Cameroon and raised in France, is a former two-time GLORY welterweight champion. His kickboxing record stands at 75 wins, seven defeats and one draw, with 45 knockouts. He subsequently moved into mixed martial arts, where all six of his victories in seven bouts have come by knockout.

His boxing experience is much more limited. Doumbé won his only previous professional boxing contest, a four-round points victory over Mohamed Fodil in 2015. His world championship achievements came in kickboxing; the Dubai match will be contested under boxing rules.

The promotion has scheduled launch press conferences in Paris on 10 November and Dubai on 12 November. Tickets are due to go on general sale on 15 November. Broadcast arrangements and the supporting bouts have yet to be announced.