Jake Paul proved to be a sterner test for Anthony Joshua than the Albanian contender Kristian Prenga, according to Nakisa Bidarian, a partner with Most Valuable Promotions. In the bout that marked Joshua’s first appearance since his clash with the YouTuber‑turned‑fighter Paul last December, the British heavyweight suffered two first‑round knockdowns at the hands of the under‑dog Albanian, which sent him to the canvas. Joshua managed to scramble back to his feet twice, only to deliver a decisive knockout in the second round, eliminating Prenga and keeping his schedule on track for a potential year‑end showdown with Tyson Fury.
Bidarian, however, believes the fight underscored how well Paul performed during his six‑round encounter with Joshua before the Brit landed a knockout punch that fractured Paul’s jaw. "Jake Paul won more than the guy on Saturday night won," she told Sky Sports News.
"He lasted six rounds. That other fighter was finished in two rounds, taking the same shots Jake was taking.
I'm very happy with his performance, not happy with the outcome, and I don’t like that he broke his jaw, but the hardest shots on Jake Paul didn’t have the same effect on a heavyweight on Saturday." Joshua’s return to the ring was especially poignant because it was his first fight after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. The emotional weight of that experience was evident throughout the night, and it added an extra layer of admiration from Bidarian, who praised Joshua’s dedication and resilience. He noted that Joshua dedicated his victory over Prenga to his late friends Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, 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 stepped back into the squared circle since his jaw was broken in two places by Joshua, Bidarian is adamant that his boxing career is far from over. She outlined an extensive wish list of potential opponents that could reignite Paul’s trajectory, naming former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, British contender Chris Eubank Jr., and WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia among the most compelling match‑ups.
"One hundred percent he's boxing again," she asserted. "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." Bidarian’s optimism reflects a broader trend in the sport, where crossover athletes like Paul continue to draw significant attention and revenue, even after setbacks. The conversation around Paul’s future also highlights the evolving landscape of heavyweight boxing, where traditional contenders are increasingly open to bouts with non‑traditional opponents, provided the financial and promotional aspects align.
Beyond the immediate implications for Paul and Joshua, the fight serves as a reminder of the physical toll boxing can exact. Joshua’s knockout punch, while spectacular, resulted in a broken jaw for Paul—a stark illustration of how quickly fortunes can change inside the ring. Yet, the incident also underscores the resilience required of elite fighters, who must recover from injuries and return to competition with renewed focus. Looking ahead, fans can anticipate a busy schedule for both athletes.
Joshua is expected to continue his pursuit of a clash with Tyson Fury, a bout that would likely dominate headlines and generate massive pay‑per‑view numbers. Meanwhile, Paul’s camp appears eager to secure a high‑profile opponent that can both challenge his skill set and restore his standing after the jaw injury. The inclusion of names like Ngannou and Garcia suggests a willingness to explore cross‑disciplinary match‑ups that could attract a broader audience beyond traditional boxing fans. In addition to the upcoming fights, the broader boxing calendar for 2026 promises a series of marquee events.
Promoters are already teasing dates for major title defenses, superfights, and multi‑card events that will be streamed on various platforms, including contract‑free options like NOW. For enthusiasts who want to stay updated, weekly podcasts such as Toe2Toe provide analysis, while highlight reels and curated video content continue to capture the sport’s most electrifying moments. Bidarian’s comments also hint at the business side of the sport. She emphasized that while fighters may have lofty ambitions, the reality of box‑office revenue and contractual constraints often dictate the feasibility of certain match‑ups.
This pragmatic approach ensures that promotions remain financially viable while still delivering compelling fights for the audience. Overall, the narrative surrounding Jake Paul’s performance against Anthony Joshua, the subsequent Prenga bout, and the future fight possibilities paints a picture of a sport in flux—balancing tradition with innovation, and navigating the challenges of athlete health, fan expectations, and commercial realities. As the year progresses, the boxing world will be watching closely to see how these storylines unfold and which of Bidarian’s proposed match‑ups will ultimately materialize.