Jake Paul is already considering how he might bounce back from defeat against Anthony Joshua.
The 28-year-old American superstar stepped up in the biggest way against the two-time world heavyweight champion from England, managing to survive for six rounds in their main event spectacle fight before being on the receiving a brutal knockout.
Both men took the fight on late notice after an exhibition between Paul and Gervonta Davis was pulled. Joshua ultimately landed the big-money bout, but the likes of Francis Ngannou — who ‘AJ’ knocked out inside two rounds — and Terence Crawford were also approached.
Speaking on Impaulsive, Paul revealed that Ngannou is still on his list of targets.
“I told everyone I would do better than Francis and that Francis kinda has no chin. He’s lowkey soft … I’ll fight Francis. That’s a good idea actually. I think maybe now he’ll take it.”
Ngannou has competed just once in MMA since his loss to Joshua in March of 2024, and turned down the opportunity to face Paul after branding the offer ‘insulting,’ not because of the money, but the fact that he was being drafted in as a replacement for the comparably tiny ‘Tank’ Davis.
‘AJ’ of course had no such problem signing on the dotted line, which has now left Paul in the situation. Though he continues to talk up his return in 2026, many in the sport feel that the broken jaw sustained and subsequent surgery may see him forced to retire from fighting.
