Jake Paul returns to boxing Dec. 24 in Dubai against ex-kickboxing champ Cedric Doumbé
Photo: Washington TimesJake Paul will return to the ring on Dec. 24 in Dubai against former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbé, about a year after Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion, beat Paul by TKO and broke his jaw. The eight-round bout is a cruiserweight matchup, a division above the welterweight Doumbé usually fights at. Doumbé, 34, has not fought in more than two years, since a first-round knockout of Jaleel Willis in May 2024. Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the fight will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, but no streaming partner had been announced. Darren Till had been rumored as the opponent, but those talks appear to have fallen through.
The Washington Post, the left-leaning source, leads with Paul's comeback and the broken jaw from the Joshua loss, and its headline calls Doumbé an "MMA star"; its brief excerpt omits his record, the weight change and the venue. The New York Post, a right-leaning outlet, leads with the opponent reveal and profiles Doumbé's 75-7-1 kickboxing record, his Glory title run and his layoff, and it is the only source to report that Netflix is not expected to stream the fight and that DAZN pay-per-view is the likeliest option. The Washington Times, also right-leaning, mirrors the Post's headline and comeback framing nearly word for word. Alternative sources Yahoo Sports and ESPN add separate angles: Yahoo ties the bout to Usyk vs. Verhoeven, while ESPN stresses the eight-round cruiserweight format.
How the sides differ Left and right sources largely agree on the facts; the right adds Doumbé's record, weight-class change, venue and streaming details.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
The Washington Post leads with Paul's comeback a year after the Joshua loss and broken jaw, labeling Doumbé an "MMA star" in its headline.
Yahoo Sports frames the fight through a comparison to Usyk vs. Verhoeven, while ESPN emphasizes the eight-round cruiserweight format and Doumbé's kickboxing title.
- Washington TimesPaywallYouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul back in the ring for Dec. 24 fight against MMA star Doumbe
The New York Post leads with the opponent reveal, Doumbé's record and the unresolved streaming deal; the Washington Times mirrors the Post's comeback framing.