Jake Paul Faces Ex-Kickboxing Champion Doumbé on Christmas Eve in Dubai

Jake Paul is returning to the ring this Christmas Eve, but fans are already calling it a step backward. The YouTuber-turned-boxer will face former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbé at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, according to the Daily Mirror ^[1]. The bout marks Paul’s first fight since suffering a broken jaw in his loss to Anthony Joshua last December.

Paul has been recovering from the injury, which left his jaw “janky” by his own admission. He will face Doumbé, a 34-year-old former Glory kickboxing champion with a record of 75-7-1. The New York Post reported ^[2] that Doumbé has not fought in over two years, with his last victory coming in May 2024 against Jaleel Willis. Despite his dominance in kickboxing, Doumbé has only one professional boxing win to his name, dating back to 2015.

The announcement has triggered immediate frustration among boxing enthusiasts. The Mirror noted ^[1] that social media users criticized Paul for selecting an opponent with limited boxing experience, with one fan calling Doumbé a “no name” despite his combat sports accolades. Another commenter joked that Paul is “ducking Darren Till,” referencing earlier rumors of a matchup with the former UFC fighter. According to the New York Post ^[2], those talks with Till appear to have fallen through.

Paul framed the matchup as a challenge for Doumbé, stating, “This is BOXING,” and referencing his own lack of kickboxing titles. Doumbé, in turn, warned that he would “finish the job Joshua started.” The fight is scheduled as an eight-round cruiserweight bout at 200 pounds, using 10-ounce gloves. Most Valuable Promotions confirmed the details, though ESPN noted ^[3] that Paul and Doumbé will appear at press conferences in Paris and Dubai later this month.

A major logistical hurdle remains: the streaming rights. The New York Post stated ^[2] that the fight will not be streamed on Netflix, with DAZN pay-per-view seen as the most likely option. This leaves many fans unsure where to watch, adding to the discontent. Paul, who has made a career of crossover fights, previously defeated Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He is 12-2 in professional boxing.

Doumbé, known for his superior cardio and athletic ability, is still considered in the prime of his career. However, his transition from kickboxing to MMA and back to the boxing ring raises questions about his adaptability. Paul, despite his injury, seems confident, claiming he will “eat you for dinner” in Dubai. Whether this fight signals a serious boxing career or another spectacle remains to be seen.