- Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) faces French kickboxing star Cedric Doumbe (1-0 as a boxer) over eight rounds at cruiserweight at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Thursday 24 December
- At the launch press conference in Paris on Tuesday, Paul said he would '100%' retire if he loses and predicted a stoppage in round three or four
- My view: Doumbe is dangerous for a round or two, but Paul wins by stoppage in the middle rounds
Paul vs Doumbe: The Paris Press Conference
Right then. Jake Paul is back, and this time he took the circus to Paris. Paul and Cedric Doumbe held the launch press conference for their Christmas Eve fight at the Pavilion Cambon on Tuesday, in front of Doumbe's home crowd. The fight itself is on Thursday 24 December at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, eight rounds at cruiserweight with a 200lb limit and 10oz gloves, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions.
The headline quote was a big one. Paul said he would '100%' retire if he loses to Doumbe. He also called it a tune-up and said it would probably end early, in the third or fourth round. Doumbe had his own line ready: he does not need to be a good boxer, he just needs one punch. He called Paul a joke.
Who Is Cedric Doumbe?
If you only follow boxing, the name might not ring a bell, but in combat sports Doumbe is a proper star. He is a former two-time GLORY kickboxing world champion with a 75-7-1 record and 45 knockouts, and he has gone 6-1 in MMA with six stoppages. He has one professional boxing fight and won it. He can punch, he is explosive and he is very confident.
The Problem For Doumbe
Boxing is a different sport. Kickboxers set up their power with kicks and range, and when you take the legs away the punches become easier to read. Doumbe has never been taken into deep water in a boxing ring by someone who has spent years doing nothing but box.
Where Paul Is At
Paul is 12-2 and this is his first fight in Dubai. The last time we saw him in a serious fight, Anthony Joshua broke his jaw and stopped him, and there were genuine questions about whether he would fight again. So credit to him for coming back. But make no mistake, this is a soft landing. He is picking a man with one boxing fight, at a weight that suits him.
Paul vs Doumbe Prediction
Let's not beat around the bush. Doumbe is dangerous for the first two rounds, and if Paul gets careless and walks onto a big right hand, anything can happen. But Paul is the bigger, more experienced boxer, he has a decent right hand and he will have spent the whole camp working on staying disciplined.
My prediction is Jake Paul by stoppage in round four or five. As for the retirement promise, I am taking him at his word. If he loses this one, he has nowhere left to go.