Jake Paul is plotting a return to the boxing ring by the turn of the year, with a showdown 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-puncher has been out of competition since his December 2025 bout with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, a fight that ended in a sixth‑round stoppage and left Paul with a broken jaw in two places.
After an intensive period of medical treatment and physical rehabilitation, Paul is now setting his sights on a comeback that could materialize within the next five months. Bidarian told Sky Sports that the promotional team is targeting the end of the calendar year or early January for Paul’s re‑entry into the sport. "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.
The statement underscores MVP’s confidence that Paul will be medically cleared and physically ready to step back into the squared circle by that window. Paul’s loss to Joshua marks only the second defeat in his 14‑fight professional record. The first blemish came three years earlier when he faced Tommy Fury in 2023, a contest that concluded with a split‑decision points loss after Fury was knocked down in the final round. Despite the setback, Paul’s résumé includes victories over several high‑profile combat athletes: former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr., and former UFC star Nate Diaz.
Those wins have helped him garner a degree of legitimacy in a sport that often views celebrity participants with skepticism. Bidarian believes that a rematch with Fury would not only serve as a logical next chapter for Paul but also provide a narrative of growth for both fighters. "If we're able to come to terms with Tommy, that's the fight that makes the most sense," she explained.
"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." In her view, the bout would act as a litmus test for Paul’s post‑injury capabilities and a chance for Fury to cement his own standing by potentially ending Paul’s rising storyline. The promotional partner also highlighted the broader stakes of the potential matchup. "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 said. The quote captures the dual narrative tension: Paul seeking redemption and proof of progression, while Fury aims to assert his dominance over a high‑profile rival.
When pressed about the hurdles that could impede the arrangement of a second fight between the two, Bidarian identified three primary factors: financial considerations, public expectations, and the underlying economics of boxing promotions. "Money, expectations and the reality of the economics," she replied, acknowledging that negotiations in the sport often hinge on purse splits, broadcast rights, and the ability to generate sufficient fan interest to justify the investment. Since Paul’s defeat, Fury has continued to build his own 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 bout held in June.
These wins have kept Fury in the public eye and positioned him as a credible opponent for a high‑stakes clash with Paul. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already shaping up with several marquee events, and a Paul‑Fury rematch could slot neatly into the schedule, providing a compelling headline for promoters and broadcasters alike. Streaming platforms such as NOW and traditional sports channels like Sky Sports are positioning themselves to deliver live coverage of these anticipated fights, while ancillary content—podcasts, highlight reels, and analytical pieces—continues to fuel fan engagement. In summary, Jake Paul’s path back to the ring appears to be charted with a clear target in mind: a bout against Tommy Fury before the close of the year or in early January 2027.
The fight promises to be more than just another celebrity spectacle; it offers both athletes a platform to demonstrate technical growth, resilience after setbacks, and the ability to compete at a higher level. As negotiations progress, the key variables will be the financial terms that satisfy both camps, the marketing narrative that can attract a global audience, and the logistical realities of staging a major boxing event in a crowded sporting landscape.
If all pieces fall into place, fans can anticipate a high‑octane encounter that could redefine the trajectories of both Paul and Fury within the sport.