Jake Paul and his surgically repaired jaw were in Paris on Tuesday for a press conference to promote Paul's upcoming fight against French champion kickboxer Cedric Doumbe.
The first question was about the condition of Paul's jaw, which was broken in two places by a sixth-round knockout punch from Anthony Joshua in December 2025. It'll be tested in the ring Dec. 24 in Dubai, and Paul offered an update on its condition.
“Titanium,’’ Paul said, referring to the titanium plate he had inserted in his jaw. “Stronger than ever. We're ready for this guy.” However, when the fight was announced Nov. 2, Paul said in a press release, "I'm rusty, my jaw is janky."
In Paris, where Doumbe is beloved, the crowd showered Paul with boos. He barked back early but
mostly took it in stride.
Paul, 29, looked to be fit and ready for the boxing match to be fought at the 200-pound cruiserweight division with 10-ounce gloves and scheduled for eight rounds.
Doumbe, by contrast, looked thick around the middle and more like a heavyweight than cruiserweight.
“I just need to lose weight,’’ said Doumbe, 33. “That's why I'm training now. I'm not training to beat him. … I'm not training to avoid any of his skills. He don't have anything.’’
Would Jake Paul really retire?
Paul said he would retire if he loses to Doumbe.
"Yeah, I'll 100% retire if I lose to this guy,'' Paul said, adding that he plans to win a world title in two to three years before he retires.
Doumbe is 75-7-1 with 45 knockouts as a kickboxer. He is 6-1 in MMA and 1-0 in boxing. Doumbe’s only pro boxing match took place in 2015, when he beat Mohamed Fodil on points. Fodil fought as a pro only twice.
Predicting a knockout of Paul, Doumbe said, “I don’t need to be a good boxer. I just need one punch.’’
Paul is 12-2 with seven knockouts. Though he also predicted a knockout, he expressed respect for Doumbe, a two-time Glory welterweight champion in kickboxing.
“This is just another world champion that I'm going up against and that's really what it's all about,’’ Paul said, “getting more experience coming back after a very tough fight with Anthony Joshua.’’
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jake Paul offers update on repaired jaw during appearance in Paris
