Jake Paul issues major retirement update after 200-day boxing absence as return date confirmed
Jake Paul has issued a major update on the future of his combat sports career after previously suggesting he may retire.
Paul, who heads up Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as well as leading a career in professional boxing, has not fought since he sustained a double jaw break during his December 2025 bout against Anthony Joshua.
The American subsequently had two metal plates fitted and teeth removed.
In May, the ‘Problem Child’ issued an update on his health and hinted that he may never fight again during an interview with combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani.
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After explaining how he was waiting on doctors' test results, Paul admitted that it was possible he’d never fight again.
“That [retirement] is definitely in the realm of possibility,” he said.
In a separate interview with BBC Sport, when asked if his boxing future was in doubt, he added: “Most definitely. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then also there's a tooth missing - I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get an implant of some sort.
"I don't know how much time that's going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me."
However, 200 days on from his last fight, Paul has finally issued a solid update on his future in the sport.
Speaking to ESPN’s Pat McAfee, Paul vowed to continue fighting while suggesting his recovery was going well.
"I'm definitely still fighting; we are in talks right now with multiple opponents, and we're figuring out when to come back," Paul said.
"[Recovery is] good; I'm going to get cleared officially to spar in the next couple of weeks.
"So we are going to get back to it and continue fighting.
"Maybe I'll do some MMA; we got a lot of stuff coming with MVP soon.
"Big promotions, getting more into the MMA world. The feud between MVP and UFC continues."
Jake Paul names ideal next opponents
Attention then turned to who Paul could fight when he returns to the ring, with former UFC cult hero Nate Diaz and recently retired former five-weight boxing world champion Terence Crawford at the top of his wishlist.
"We're talking to [Terence] Crawford, but he's retired, so we will see," Paul admitted.
The 29-year-old also discussed facing Diaz, whom he previously boxed and defeated by unanimous decision in 2023, in MMA.
He explained: "I wrestled Dean Heil in high school, super competitive Division I Ohio wrestling; it doesn't get more legit than that.
"I want to do MMA. We have been trying to make the Nate Diaz MMA fight for a long time, and I think it is still on the table.
"I've never practised MMA, but I've wrestled and boxed, so I just need to learn the kicks and the jiu-jitsu."
Luke Davies