According to Nakisa Bidarian, a partner at Most Valuable Promotions, Jake Paul presented a sterner test for Anthony Joshua than the Albanian contender Kristian Prenga did. In Joshua’s first bout after his December clash with the YouTuber‑turned‑boxer, the British heavyweight suffered two first‑round knockdowns at the hands of the under‑dog Prenga, who ultimately found himself on the canvas twice before Joshua rallied to deliver a decisive second‑round knockout. The victory kept Joshua on track for a potential year‑end showdown with Tyson Fury.
Bidarian, however, believes the fight highlighted how effectively Paul performed during his six‑round encounter with Joshua, a match that ended abruptly when Joshua landed a crushing blow that fractured Paul’s jaw. "Jake Paul achieved more than the fighter on Saturday night did," she told Sky Sports News. "He lasted six rounds, whereas that other opponent was finished in two, enduring the same punches that Jake absorbed." She added, "I’m pleased with Jake’s showing, even though the result was disappointing and I’m sorry his jaw was broken.
The hardest punches that landed on Jake didn’t have the same impact on a heavyweight on Saturday." This bout marked Joshua’s return to the ring after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. The emotional weight of that experience was evident as Joshua dedicated his victory over Prenga to his late companions, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Bidarian expressed deep respect for the champion, saying, "I’m proud of him, I’m in awe of him.
I’ve been messaging him all week. We formed a bond with Sina, which was difficult for everyone involved, especially for AJ, who has become part of their family. To step back into the ring just seven months later, carrying that emotional baggage, shows incredible resilience. My admiration for him is immense." While Paul has not yet stepped back into the squared circle since his jaw was shattered in two places by Joshua, Bidarian is adamant that his boxing career is far from finished.
She outlined a robust list of potential future opponents for Paul, ranging from former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to Britain’s own Chris Eubank Jr. and WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
"He’s 100 percent going back to boxing," she affirmed. "Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, and even Tommy Fury makes sense. Edgar Berlanga would be a fascinating matchup, and Chris Eubank Jr.
is also an intriguing option." Bidarian cautioned, however, that matchmaking must remain realistic. "Sometimes the fighters’ ambitions exceed what the market can support financially," she noted, emphasizing the need for a balance between star power and economic viability.
Beyond the Joshua‑Prenga narrative, the article also promoted upcoming MVP events, such as MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois also on the card, scheduled for August 29 on Sky Sports. Viewers are encouraged to stream boxing without a contract via NOW, and to tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for additional insights and highlights.
In summary, while the Prenga fight offered a quick, decisive win for Joshua, the earlier six‑round duel with Jake Paul demonstrated a higher level of resistance and skill from the YouTube star. Bidarian’s comments suggest that Paul’s broken jaw will not deter his ambitions, and a slate of high‑profile opponents awaits him as he looks to rebuild his standing in the sport.
The boxing community can anticipate a series of intriguing match‑ups in the coming months, with both established champions and crossover athletes vying for the spotlight.