Jake Paul is setting his sights on a return to the boxing ring by the start of the new year, with a rematch against Tommy Fury emerging as the most logical next step, according to Nakisa Bidarian, a partner at Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The American internet celebrity-turned-fighter has been out of competition since his loss to heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in December 2025, a bout that ended in a sixth‑round defeat and left Paul with a broken jaw in two places.
After a period of intensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and conditioning, Paul is now targeting a comeback within the next five months, aiming for a fight date sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. Bidarian told Sky Sports that the timeline for Paul’s return is firmly anchored to the end of the calendar year or the first month of the following year. "In terms of timing, we continue to focus on the end of this year or January. That's the timeline for his return," she said.
This statement underscores the confidence of Paul’s management team that the fighter will be fully recovered and ready to compete at a high level once again. Paul’s loss to Joshua marked only the second blemish on his 14‑fight record. The first came three years earlier when he faced Tommy Fury in 2023, a bout that ended in a split‑decision points loss after Fury was knocked down in the final round. Despite the setback, Paul’s career has featured a number of high‑profile victories that have helped him gain legitimacy in the sport.
Notable wins include triumphs over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and former UFC star Nate Diaz. These successes have built a narrative that Paul is more than a novelty act; he is a legitimate competitor capable of challenging established names.
Bidarian believes that a second encounter with Fury would be the ideal way for Paul to re‑establish his standing. "If we're able to come to terms with Tommy, that's the fight that makes the most sense," she explained.
She added that the two fighters have both evolved significantly since their first meeting, making a rematch an opportunity to showcase their growth and development as boxers. "If you think about where they were three years ago, it's the perfect opportunity to show the world that both of them have evolved as boxers," Bidarian said.
From Paul’s perspective, a victory over Fury would serve as a statement that he has moved to a higher tier of competition after his defeat to Joshua. For Fury, the fight represents a chance to cement his own legacy and prove that the earlier loss to Paul was a one‑off event. "For Jake, coming off the loss to AJ, this is his chance to really demonstrate that he has moved to another level, and for Tommy this is his opportunity to say the Jake Paul story has come to an end," Bidarian noted.
When asked about the hurdles that could delay or derail a second Paul‑Fury showdown, Bidarian cited three primary factors: financial considerations, public expectations, and the broader economics of the sport. "Money, expectations and the reality of the economics," she said, highlighting that negotiations must satisfy both camps while also delivering a profitable event for promoters and broadcasters.
Since the initial bout, Fury has continued to build his résumé. He secured a points victory over fellow YouTuber KSI and later defeated former World's Strongest Man competitor Eddie Hall by majority decision in a Misfits Boxing exhibition in June.
These wins have kept Fury in the public eye and maintained his relevance in the crossover boxing scene, making a potential rematch with Paul even more compelling for fans. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already shaping up with several marquee events, and a Paul‑Fury fight could easily become one of the headline attractions. Streaming platforms such as NOW are positioning themselves to offer contract‑free access to major fights, while traditional broadcasters like Sky Sports continue to promote the sport through dedicated channels and social media outreach, including WhatsApp updates for real‑time news and analysis. In summary, Jake Paul’s path back to the ring appears to be carefully plotted, with a strategic focus on a high‑stakes rematch against Tommy Fury.
The combination of Paul’s desire to prove his post‑Joshua resurgence and Fury’s ambition to close the chapter on their rivalry sets the stage for a compelling narrative. While financial and logistical challenges remain, both fighters and their teams seem eager to make the bout happen, potentially delivering one of the most talked‑about events in the sport’s crossover landscape.
The upcoming months will reveal whether negotiations succeed and if the two athletes can finally settle the score in the ring.