Jake Paul Says His ‘Heart Is Broken’ After Fiancée's Devastating Setback
Jake Paul admitted his "heart is broken" after seeing his fiancee suffer a major setback in her Olympic hopes.
Paul has been dealing with another severe break after undergoing surgery on his jaw following his bruising boxing defeat to Anthony Joshua in Miami on 19 December.
Paul was knocked out in the sixth round in the heavyweight Netflix bout, with the damage causing him to have to consume foods in liquid form for a period of seven days.
But despite his struggles, on Friday 'the Problem Child' was in attendance to watch his other half, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam, in action on Boxing Day.
Advert
The 2022 World Sprint Champion in the 500 and 1000 metre races, Leerdam won a silver medal at the latter event in 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing.
She is hopeful of participating again at the 2026 showpiece in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy and participated in speed skating trials for the Netherlands.
But in taking part 1000m qualifying race to try and secure a spot on the squad, Leerdam suffered a fall early on in the race and was reduced to tears as she left the ice.
Paul reacts to fiancee's emotional setback
It means Leerdam has not yet confirmed her place at the Milan Winter Olympics and the national selection committee are poised to make a decision in early 2026.
Paul supported his partner and was gutted to see Leerdam's potentially costly tumble.
“It’s really, really hard," Paul said, speaking to reporters.
"And I know this is her whole life. Her whole dream. And everything she’s worked so hard for. My heart is broken. This sport is so bizarre. She could just show up at the starting line and go again. And she had such a fast opening.”
He added: “We all know this is her race. She’s won multiple World Cups, so hopefully justice will be done for her and she can be there to represent the Netherlands at the Olympics.
“I know how hard she works and how good she skates. It’s just so sad.”
Reflecting on her mishap, Leerdam said: "It felt like there was something on the ice. Or a blunt spot on my skate. You just don’t want this. I’m so bummed.
“I don’t even know what happened. It felt like I was standing on something. I just completely slid away. I’m skating so well in practice and I was so excited.”
- If you want to see even more from SPORTbible, make us a preferred source on Google.
The 26-year-old's dream is not over as on the Sunday, she was back on the ice to compete in the 500m distance, where she came in second place.
Leerdam is the 2020 and 2023 World Single Distance Champion over 1000 metres and is a two-time champion in the 2025/26 ISU Speed Skating World Cup with triumphs in the same distance in Heerenveen and Salt Lake City.
Paul and Leerdam went public with their relationship in April 2023 and announced their engagement in March 2025.
The 28-year-old is set for a lengthy spell away from boxing as he recovers from injuries inflicted by Joshua.
Josh Lawless