Jake Paul Broken Jaw Leaves Boxing Career in Doubt
Jake Paul broken jaw has left his boxing career most definitely in doubt after the December fight with Anthony Joshua. The 29-year-old said he is waiting on new scans in a couple of days before he knows more about the healing process.
Anthony Joshua in Miami
Joshua broke Paul’s jaw in two places during their heavyweight fight in Miami, and Paul had two titanium plates fitted afterward. He also had some teeth removed after the bout, which went six rounds before it was stopped when he failed to beat the count following repeated knockdowns.
Paul said the injury has changed the outlook on whether he can keep fighting. He dropped out of the WBA cruiserweight rankings after the defeat, which came in December and cut across the return path he had been eyeing.
Paul’s recovery timeline
“I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what the doctors say,” Paul said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility.”
He added that he still has to be cleared to spar and is staying in shape while doing mitt work. “It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar. I’m staying in shape and enjoying some mitt work. I’m always in the gym regardless,” he said.
WBA cruiserweight path
Nakisa Bidarian said earlier this month that Paul was eyeing a return to cruiserweight, but the jaw injury now hangs over that plan. Paul said, “Most definitely. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then also there's a tooth missing - I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get an implant of some sort.”
He added, “I don't know how much time that's going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me.” For now, the scans in a couple of days and the doctor’s readout will shape whether he can move back toward sparring at all.
