Jake Paul’s controversial and money-spinning boxing career could end after 14 fights.
The YouTuber and businessman turned his hand to boxing professionally back in 2020, though competed against men at a similar level to his. He then made a name for himself by beating former UFC fighters, including Nate Diaz, Ben Askren and Anderson Silva.
Paul suffered his first loss when he faced Tommy Fury, but it was not damaging. That much, however, cannot be said about the second defeat of his campaign, which came in December last year when he stepped up against two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The Olympic Gold Medalist from the UK struggled to pin Paul down to start, but when he did, a crushing right hand ended the fight in the sixth. Post-fight, the American revealed that he had suffered a ‘double broken jaw.’
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani show, he has now said that the ‘AJ’ fight – which many rightly said was dangerous when it was announced – could be his last.
“I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what the doctors say. I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility.
“It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar. I’m sort of staying in shape. I’m always in the gym regardless … Yeah [my fighting future is in doubt.] Most definitely. I think it just depends on how the bone heals. And also, there’s a tooth missing here, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have to get an implant of some sort. I don’t know how much time that adds to things. We’re just going to have to see and figure out what’s the smartest thing for me.”
While Paul, 29, admitted that he has considered that this might be the end, he says that he feels like he still has things to accomplish in the sport and, if cleared to do so, will return.
A broken jaw can be one of the most serious injuries a boxer suffers, not only because of the immediate pain and slow recovery, but because of the long-term physical and psychological effects it can leave behind.
The injury becomes an issue to doctors and governing bodies due to concerns over durability, nerve damage or the jaw’s ability to withstand further heavy impact – particularly if surgery involving plates, screws or other metal fixation to stabilise the fracture is required.
If competing is out of the question for Paul, his time in boxing as a whole is unlikely to come to an end, as MVP has become the standout promotional company for women’s boxing.
