According to Nakisa Bidarian, a partner at Most Valuable Promotions, Jake Paul presented a sterner test for Anthony Joshua than the Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga. In the bout that marked Joshua’s return after his December showdown with the YouTuber‑turned‑boxer, the British heavyweight was knocked down twice in the opening round by the under‑dog Prenga.
Despite those setbacks, Joshua managed to rise twice and ultimately delivered a decisive knockout in the second round, keeping his schedule on track for a potential year‑end clash with Tyson Fury. Bidarian, however, believes the fight underscored how well Paul performed during his six‑round encounter with Joshua before the British champion landed a jaw‑breaking blow. "Jake Paul achieved more than the guy on Saturday night did," she told Sky Sports News.
"He lasted six rounds, while that other fighter was finished in two, enduring the same punches Jake was taking." She added that she was pleased with Paul’s showing even though the result was disappointing and lamented the injury to his jaw. "The hardest shots that landed on Jake didn’t have the same effect on a heavyweight on Saturday," Bidarian explained. This appearance marked Joshua’s first step back into the ring after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. The loss has weighed heavily on the champion, who dedicated his victory over Prenga to his fallen companions, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.
Bidarian expressed deep admiration for Joshua’s resilience, saying, "I’m proud of him, I’m in awe of him. I’ve been messaging him all week. We built a bond with Sina, which was difficult for everyone, especially for AJ, who has become part of their family.
To step into the ring seven months later, carrying that emotional baggage, shows immense respect and admiration." While Paul has not fought since Joshua shattered his jaw in two places, Bidarian is confident his boxing career is far from over. She outlined a long list of potential opponents that could line up for the YouTuber, ranging from former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou to Britain’s own Chris Eubank Jr.
and WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia. "He’s 100 percent going back to the ring," Bidarian asserted. "Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, and even Tommy Fury makes sense. A matchup with Edgar Berlanga would be fascinating, and I also like the idea of Chris Eubank Jr.
It’s an intriguing fight." Bidarian also cautioned that any prospective opponent must be realistic about the financial realities of the sport. "Sometimes their ambitions exceed what the box‑office can realistically support," she warned. Looking ahead, MVP will host the MVPW‑06 event in Birmingham on August 29, featuring a headline bout between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois also on the card. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans can also stream the fights without a contract through the network’s platform.
In summary, while Prenga’s brief appearance in the ring was marked by a quick knockout, Jake Paul’s six‑round performance against Joshua demonstrated a higher level of durability and skill, according to Bidarian. Despite the jaw injury that currently sidelines Paul, his future in boxing appears promising, with a slate of high‑profile matchups on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s emotional victory over Prenga serves as a testament to his perseverance after personal tragedy, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s most resilient heavyweight champions.