‘This isn’t kickboxing’: Jake Paul fires warning at Cedric Doumbe ahead of December 24 boxing showdown Jake Paul has found his next opponent, and he will face former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe in his boxing return on December 24. The fight will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, marking Paul’s first appearance in the ring since his loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. The announcement also settles the question of who will face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in his Christmas Eve comeback. The two fighters will meet in an eight-round cruiserweight contest, with both already trading sharp words ahead of the fight.
Jake Paul and Cedric Doumbe Set for Eight-Round Boxing Fight in Dubai
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) officially announced the matchup on November 2. Paul will face the 34-year-old French fighter in a professionally sanctioned contest at 200 pounds. Both men will wear 10-ounce gloves for the eight-round fight.The announcement comes after Paul confirmed in October that he would return to boxing on Christmas Eve. However, his opponent was still unknown at the time. Now, Doumbe has been selected for the job after repeatedly expressing interest in fighting the American.Paul also addressed their past exchanges while announcing the matchup. He pointed to Doumbe’s nine-second knockout victory over Jordan Zebo in Paris in 2023 and reminded him that their upcoming meeting would follow boxing rules, not kickboxing.”Cedric [Doumbe] was calling me out two years ago after knocking some dude [Zebo] out in nine seconds. Well, now you get your chance,” Paul said.He also spoke about his recovery from the jaw injury he suffered against Joshua. Paul admitted that he was not at his best physically but made it clear that he was ready to fight.”I’m rusty, my jaw is janky and I don’t have kickboxing world titles like you do. But guess what, this isn’t kickboxing mon ami. This is BOXING,” he added.The two fighters will also meet before fight night. Their first public press conference is scheduled for November 10 at Pavillon Cambon in Paris. They will then appear at Dubai Opera House on November 12. Both events will be free and open to the public.
Cedric Doumbe’s Kickboxing Record and Jake Paul’s Previous Loss to Anthony Joshua
Doumbe brings plenty of experience from other combat sports, although his professional boxing record is limited. He is a former two-time GLORY kickboxing world champion with 75 wins, seven losses and one draw. His record also includes 45 knockouts.He later moved into mixed martial arts and built a 6-1 professional record, with all six victories coming by knockout. One of his best-known performances came against Jordan Zebo in September 2023. Doumbe stopped him in just nine seconds during their fight in Paris.However, he has only one professional boxing match on his record. He defeated Mohamed Fodil over four rounds in 2015. This means his fight against Paul will be just his second professional boxing appearance.Paul, meanwhile, enters the contest with a 12-2 professional boxing record and seven knockouts. His two defeats came against Tommy Fury in 2023 and Anthony Joshua in December 2025.His last appearance ended badly after Joshua stopped him in the sixth round. The former two-time heavyweight world champion broke Paul’s jaw during the fight, leaving the American needing surgery before he could consider returning to competition.Before that setback, Paul had beaten several well-known names, including Mike Tyson, who was 58 at the time of their November 2024 fight.Doumbe has also responded to Paul’s comments and made it clear that he is not worried about facing the American. He believes Paul has not yet faced an opponent like him and brought up the injury Joshua caused in their last fight.”Jake Paul calls himself the Problem Child, but he’s never faced a problem like me,” Doumbe said.He also promised to finish what Joshua started, adding another personal challenge to an already heated matchup.The French fighter also spoke about his plans for the night, saying he wanted to represent his country in Dubai. He promised to raise the French flag after beating Paul and made it clear that he intends to make the most of this opportunity.The fight gives Doumbe a chance to show what he can do in professional boxing against a high-profile opponent. For Paul, it will be his first test since the injury that forced him out of the ring for almost a year.