Paul made the pledge at the Paris press conference for their eight-round professional cruiserweight fight in Dubai.
Jake Paul says he will retire from boxing if Cédric Doumbé beats him on Thursday, December 24, 2026, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Paul made the pledge at Most Valuable Promotions’ kickoff press conference in Paris, where the pair faced off for the first time.
“100% retiring if I lose to this guy,” Paul said. “Sure, like 100%. For sure. For sure, for sure.”
The bout is a sanctioned professional fight over eight rounds at the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds (90.7 kg), with 10-ounce gloves. It will be Paul’s first professional fight in Dubai.
Doumbé Called for the Fight
Doumbé said he was the one who called Paul out. The former two-time GLORY kickboxing world champion had a blunt explanation for why he wanted the matchup.
“That’s why I called him out, because I would like to face a guy who is not strong, beat him easily, and take my money,” Doumbé said. “So he accepted the fight. Thank you, Jake.”
Paul called Doumbé a tune-up in Paris, even as he acknowledged the French fighter’s knockout record and championship experience. He also said he believed he could become a boxing world champion within two to three years. A loss in Dubai would put that ambition at odds with the retirement pledge he made at the same press conference.
Paul enters at 12-2 with seven knockouts in professional boxing. Doumbé is 1-0 in boxing, separate from his 75-7-1 kickboxing record with 45 knockouts and his 6-1 MMA record with six knockouts. Christmas Eve will be Doumbé’s second professional boxing bout.
Paul vs Doumbé Tickets
Tickets go on general sale Sunday, November 15, at noon GST / 9 a.m. CET through the Coca-Cola Arena event page, which also offers presale registration. MVP did not name a broadcaster in the press conference release.
