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 Kristian Prenga. The comments came after Joshua’s first appearance since his December showdown with the YouTuber‑turned‑boxer, a fight that ended with the champion suffering a broken jaw after a six‑round war. When Joshua returned to the ring, he faced the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga.
The encounter was brief but decisive: Prenga knocked the champion down twice in the opening round, only for Joshua to rally and deliver a crushing knockout in the second round, preserving his trajectory toward a year‑end showdown with Tyson Fury. While the result was a clear victory for the heavyweight, Bidarian argued that the fight underscored how much tougher Paul had been in their earlier six‑round meeting. "Jake Paul won more than the guy on Saturday night won," Bidarian told Sky Sports News. "He lasted six rounds.
That other opponent was finished in two rounds, taking the same punches Jake was taking." Bidarian’s assessment reflects a broader narrative that has emerged around Paul’s rapid ascent in the boxing world. Despite being labeled an entertainer rather than a traditional pugilist, Paul has demonstrated a durability and skill set that many observers had not anticipated. In the six‑round contest with Joshua, Paul absorbed a barrage of heavyweight punches, staying on his feet long enough to land several effective counters before the British champion finally landed the decisive blow that fractured his jaw. The fact that Paul survived the full duration of the fight, taking the same punishment that would have felled a less seasoned opponent, impressed Bidarian, even as she expressed disappointment over the injury Joshua sustained.
"I'm very happy with his performance, not happy with the outcome, and didn't like that he broke his jaw," Bidarian said. "The hardest shots on Jake Paul didn't do what they did to a heavyweight on Saturday." Beyond the technical analysis, the interview also touched on the emotional backdrop of Joshua’s recent career.
The champion had returned to the sport after surviving a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. Joshua dedicated his victory over Prenga to their memory, a gesture that resonated deeply with Bidarian.
"I'm proud of him, in awe of him, thinking of him," she remarked. "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." The emotional weight of that dedication, combined with the physical toll of the fight, highlighted Joshua’s resilience. Bidarian noted that stepping back into the ring just seven months after such a personal loss required extraordinary mental strength, and she praised his ability to channel that grief into performance. "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," she added. Turning the focus back to Jake Paul, Bidarian was unequivocal about his future in the sport. Although Paul has not fought since his jaw was broken in two places by Joshua, the MVP CEO believes the setback is temporary.
She outlined a long list of potential opponents that could keep Paul in the spotlight, ranging from former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou to Britain’s own Chris Eubank Jr., and even WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia. "100 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," Bidarian explained. She also cautioned that matchmaking must remain realistic, noting that "sometimes their eyes are bigger than what the box office affords us to pay." The conversation also served as a reminder of the broader boxing calendar for 2026, with fans eagerly awaiting marquee events and new streaming options that promise contract‑free access. MVP’s upcoming event, MVPW‑06, scheduled for August 29 in Birmingham, will feature 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, offering another opportunity for viewers to experience high‑level boxing without traditional contractual constraints. In summary, while Prenga’s defeat was swift and decisive, the earlier encounter with Jake Paul revealed a more nuanced challenge for Anthony Joshua. Paul’s ability to endure six rounds against a heavyweight champion, absorb heavy fire, and remain competitive, despite his non‑traditional background, impressed industry insiders like Nakisa Bidarian. At the same time, Joshua’s emotional dedication to his late friends and his triumphant return to the ring after personal tragedy underscore the human stories that continue to shape the sport.
As both fighters look ahead—Joshua toward a potential clash with Tyson Fury and Paul toward a new roster of high‑profile opponents—the boxing world remains poised for compelling narratives and unforgettable fights.