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- Jake Paul could be forced to retire from boxing immediately as injury details emerge (irishstar.com)
Jake Paul has raised eyebrows by suggesting he might never return to boxing as he continues to recover from a severe jaw injury sustained in his December fight against Anthony Joshua.
The 29-year-old faced a tough challenge when he stepped into the ring with the former two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. The bout ended with Paul suffering a sixth-round knockout and a broken jaw in two places. The injury required surgery, including the insertion of two titanium plates and the removal of some teeth, and he has been in recovery ever since.
Although Paul has resumed training at the gym, medical professionals have not yet cleared him to spar. Despite his strong desire to get back in the ring and rebound from the defeat, he has now acknowledged the real possibility that his boxing career could be over.
Speaking with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on the podcast Uncrowned, Paul revealed that he is scheduled for new scans to assess the healing progress of his jaw. The results will determine whether he can safely continue fighting.
“I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what my doctors say,” Paul explained.
“I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe or find out if I can even fight again. That’s definitely a possibility.”
He added that while his jaw feels better over time, he still needs medical clearance before sparring. He remains active in the gym, focusing on mitt work and staying in shape.
When pressed on the uncertainty surrounding his boxing future, Paul was candid: “Most definitely” there is a chance he won’t fight again. He also mentioned dealing with a missing tooth that may require an implant, which could affect his recovery timeline.
Paul emphasized the importance of making the smartest decision for his health. Though he insists he’s not finished with boxing and recently spoke about a potential fight against Oleksandr Usyk, his doctor is reportedly advising against returning to the ring.
“My doctor, Arman, doesn’t want me to fight again,” Paul said. “Then there’s the occasional businessperson who says, ‘you don’t need to do this.’”
In addition to his boxing ambitions, Paul recently expressed interest in MMA, naming a potential bout with Nate Diaz as a high priority. He also reignited a rivalry with Conor McGregor by calling out the UFC star as one of three fighters he’d welcome into the octagon.
As Paul navigates this critical period in his career, the coming medical evaluations will be key in determining whether the fighter known as “The Problem Child” can continue competing at the highest level.