In the eyes of Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian, the bout between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua proved to be a sterner test for the British heavyweight than his subsequent clash with the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga. The contrast between the two fights was stark, and the comments from Bidarian highlighted how Paul’s performance underscored his own capabilities even after suffering a serious injury. When Joshua returned to the ring for the first time after the tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends, he faced a daunting task.
The accident had left a deep emotional scar, and the physical recovery was equally demanding. Nevertheless, Joshua stepped into the squared circle against Prenga, a fighter who, on paper, was far less experienced and far less marketable than Paul. In that encounter, Prenga managed to knock Joshua down twice in the opening round, sending the champion to the canvas and briefly casting doubt on his ability to bounce back.
Yet Joshua’s resilience shone through; he rose from the canvas not once but twice, and by the second round he unleashed a decisive knockout that sent Prenga sprawling, reaffirming his status as a top‑tier heavyweight and keeping his path toward a year‑end showdown with Tyson Fury intact. Bidarian, however, argued that the real story lay in the earlier six‑round contest between Paul and Joshua. In that fight, Paul survived the full distance, absorbing the same combination of punches that would later floor Prenga in the first round. "Jake Paul won more than the guy on Saturday night won," she told Sky Sports News, emphasizing that Paul endured six rounds of heavyweight-level punishment while Prenga lasted only two.
She added, "He was in there for six rounds. That dude was out in two rounds, taking the same shots Jake was taking." The former YouTuber‑turned‑boxer’s performance, according to Bidarian, was impressive despite the unfortunate outcome—a broken jaw that required extensive medical attention. "I'm very happy with his performance, not happy with the outcome, and didn't like that he broke his jaw, but the hardest shots on Jake Paul didn't do what they did to a heavyweight on Saturday," she explained.
Her remarks suggest that while Paul’s jaw fracture was a setback, the quality of his showing against a seasoned champion like Joshua should not be dismissed. Beyond the technical analysis, Bidarian expressed profound respect for Joshua’s character and his emotional journey. Joshua dedicated his victory over Prenga to his late friends, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, a gesture that resonated deeply with those close to him. Bidarian conveyed her admiration, saying, "I'm proud of him, in awe of him, thinking of him.
I sent him messages throughout the week. We developed a relationship with Sina, which was hard for all of us, but no harder for anyone than their families and AJ, who is part of their family.
For him to make that walk seven months later, to go into the ring with that emotion, I'm sure that weighed heavily on him. Massive respect, massive admiration." While Paul has not yet stepped back into the ring since sustaining a double‑jaw fracture at the hands of Joshua, Bidarian is unequivocal about his future prospects. She outlined an ambitious list of potential opponents, ranging from former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou to Britain’s own Chris Eubank Jr., and even WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
"100 per cent he's boxing again," she affirmed, adding, "Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, but Tommy Fury is a fight that makes sense. Edgar Berlanga, that's a fascinating fight. I also like Chris Eubank Jr, that's a fascinating fight. The fighters on the other side also need to be realistic.
Sometimes their eyes are bigger than what the box office affords us to pay." The broader context of the sport in 2026 also features a packed schedule of marquee events, with fans eager to see how these cross‑disciplinary matchups will play out. MVP’s upcoming event, MVPW‑06, slated for August 29 in Birmingham, will showcase a stacked card headlined by Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois also on the undercard.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering viewers the option to stream without a long‑term contract. In summary, while the Prenga fight served as a reminder of Joshua’s knockout power and his ability to rebound from adversity, the earlier encounter with Jake Paul revealed a different kind of narrative—one where a non‑traditional boxer held his own against a heavyweight champion for six grueling rounds. Bidarian’s commentary underscores both the respect owed to Joshua for his emotional resilience and the belief that Paul’s career, despite a serious injury, remains very much alive. The potential matchups she mentioned hint at a future where the lines between boxing, mixed martial arts, and celebrity‑driven bouts continue to blur, promising fans a dynamic and unpredictable landscape in the years ahead.