Jake Paul has admitted that his future in boxing remains uncertain following the severe injuries he suffered in his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua last year in December.
Paul reportedly suffered a double jaw fracture and lost a back tooth during the sixth-round stoppage defeat against Joshua in Miami. The YouTuber-turned-boxer later underwent major surgery, with doctors inserting titanium plates to stabilize his jaw.
However, complications during recovery reportedly forced Paul to undergo a second procedure after issues developed with the surgical hardware.
Paul says doctors will determine whether he can fight again
Speaking on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, Paul admitted that he still does not know whether he will be medically cleared to continue boxing.
“We’ll see what my doctors say,” Paul said. “I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm and possibilities of things.”
Paul explained that while his jaw has gradually improved, he still cannot fully return to training until doctors officially clear him.
“The jaw does feel a lot better as weeks and time goes by,” he said.
“But I definitely need to get cleared first to be able to spar.”
Paul says his boxing future remains in doubt
‘The Problem Child’ openly acknowledged that doubts about his future have crossed his mind during recovery.
“Most definitely,” Paul said when asked whether his fighting future is uncertain.
He also revealed that the injury involves more than just the fractured jaw.
“It just depends on how the bone heals,” Paul explained. “Then, also, there’s a tooth missing in the back.”
According to Paul, he may still require additional dental procedures before fully returning.
“I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implanted tooth of some sort,” he said.
Paul insists he is ‘not done’ fighting
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Paul believes he has unfinished business inside the ring.
“Those doubts have come up, but I’m not done,” Paul said.
“I can just feel it in my spirit and my soul, and my heart that I have more fights left.”
Paul also compared the injury to setbacks athletes regularly face across professional sports.
“Injuries are a part of any sport,” he said.
“I definitely don’t think I’m done and want to keep on fighting.”
For now, Paul’s immediate future remains dependent on medical evaluations as he continues recovering from one of the most serious injuries of his boxing career.
He holds a professional record of 12 victories, out of which seven came via knockouts, and 2 losses.
There remains skepticism surrounding Paul’s future in boxing. However, he recently expressed his desire to become a world champion while admitting that heavyweight is not his natural division and that he plans to return to cruiserweight.
The only exception he mentioned for staying at heavyweight would be a potential fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
