Jake Paul says he is not certain he will ever fight again after suffering a broken jaw in his knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua on December 19.
The former child star and YouTuber, who has built a boxing career largely by promoting his own matches, told podcaster Ariel Helwani he is getting new scans on his jaw in a couple of days to check on his healing process. He said his doctors will then determine whether he can fight again, adding that not fighting again is definitely within the realm of possibility.
The loss to former heavyweight champion Joshua dropped Paul's record to 12-2. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. remains the only trained boxer Paul has ever beaten, with his other wins coming against fighters who crossed over from MMA, such as Nate Diaz, and former NBA guard Nate Robinson.
Paul said the injury feels a lot better as time passes, though he said healing depends on how the bone recovers. He also said he is missing a tooth and will likely need an implant.
Surgeries and a delayed return
Paul underwent several surgeries to repair his broken jaw. In March he said he expected to be out of the ring for at least six months, telling ESPN that put a possible fight in late this year or early next year.
Days later, Paul posted training footage online with a caption teasing an announcement for March 18. No new opponent has since been named, and Paul has instead been occupied with wedding preparations and other promotional work.
Engagement rumors
Paul is engaged to Dutch speedskater and Olympic gold medalist Jutta Leerdam. False reports surfaced in the Netherlands last month claiming the couple had split.
Paul issued a furious statement rejecting the reports, saying Dutch media was lying about him and Leerdam and that false information about her has been spread for years, adding that it needs to stop.
Dutch media personality Yvonne Coldeweijer first reported the rumors, writing that Leerdam had been dumped by Paul and that he was completely done with her. Coldeweijer wrote that two weeks earlier Paul had dropped Leerdam off at home, taken back the ring and broken off the engagement and the relationship.
Coldeweijer's claims, also reported by Dutch outlet Socialniews.nl, further alleged Paul had cheated on Leerdam in recent weeks. On her Instagram, Coldeweijer said Paul appeared to be cheating with anyone and everyone, and claimed he makes women he is involved with sign an NDA. There is no evidence to support these claims.