Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Rematch: Will He Run It Back After the Broken Jaw?

Updated: October 2026

The Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua rematch question is the biggest one hanging over boxing's most talked-about comeback. Paul was knocked out in round six by Joshua on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, and the defeat came with a brutal souvenir: a jaw broken in two places that required two surgeries and kept him out of the ring for roughly 293 days. Now, with Paul medically cleared to fight again in early October 2026, fans are asking the obvious question — does he run it straight back with the former heavyweight champion?

The comeback is already drawing serious attention — "boxing tonight" trended in the US on Google Trends across October 10-11, 2026, with coverage from ESPN, USA Today, and theScore. But curiosity about Paul's return is one thing; stepping back in with Anthony Joshua is something else entirely.

What Happened the First Time: Joshua by KO in Round 6

The first meeting was the most ambitious gamble of Paul's career. At 12-1 coming in, the Cleveland-born cruiserweight (born January 17, 1997; 6'1", 76-inch reach, orthodox stance, nicknamed "The Problem Child") had built his record against a mix of fellow crossover stars, faded MMA names, and a couple of legitimate professional boxers. Joshua was none of those things — he was a natural heavyweight and a former unified world champion, and the size gap was obvious from the opening bell.

Paul had moments of competitiveness early, but Joshua's power told the story. In round six, the Brit landed the shot that ended the night — and, as it turned out, broke Paul's jaw in two places. It was the second loss of Paul's professional career, following his split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia back in February 2023. Between those two losses, Paul had stacked wins over names like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Mike Tyson (November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Texas), and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (June 28, 2025, in Anaheim).

The Broken Jaw: Two Surgeries and 293 Days Out

The injury was as serious as it sounds. Reports indicated Paul's jaw was fractured in two places, and he underwent two surgeries, with titanium plates reportedly fitted to stabilize the damage. That kind of trauma does not just sideline a fighter — it reshapes his entire training life. Eating, sparring, even basic conditioning all had to be rebuilt around a healing jaw.

Paul was out for approximately 293 days, one of the longest layoffs of his career. Then, in early October 2026, the green light finally came: his business partner and promoter, Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions, announced that Paul had been medically cleared to fight, a development reported by USA Today on October 8, 2026. Being "cleared" means doctors are satisfied the jaw has healed and he can take contact again — but it does not erase the memory of how the injury happened, or who caused it.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Rematch: The Case For

There are real reasons the rematch conversation will not die:

• Redemption is the best story in sports. Paul has built his entire boxing identity on proving doubters wrong. Avenging — or even just surviving and competing with — Joshua would be the defining chapter of his career.
• The money would be enormous. The first fight was one of the most discussed events of 2025. A rematch, framed around a healed jaw and a revenge mission, would be an easy sell.
• Paul asked for this life. His early-October 2026 "Before I rest..." wish list on X named the biggest possible opponents — Deontay Wilder, Francis Ngannou, Canelo Alvarez, Conor McGregor. A man thinking that big does not usually duck the man who hurt him.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Rematch: The Case Against

But the counterarguments are just as strong, and they start with the physical reality:

• The size mismatch has not changed. Paul is a cruiserweight who has campaigned around 200 pounds; Joshua is a full-sized heavyweight. That gap produced a broken jaw once already.
• Re-injury risk is real. A twice-operated jaw with plates is healed, not indestructible. Doctors clear fighters based on bone healing, but no clearance can guarantee the same punch does not do the same damage.
• There is a smarter rebuild path. At 12-2 with 7 knockouts across 14 fights, Paul could take a tune-up against a credible but less dangerous opponent, bank rounds, and rebuild confidence before even thinking about Joshua.
• Joshua may have bigger business. A former champion of Joshua's stature typically chases titles or fellow elite heavyweights, not immediate rematches with crossover stars.

What a Rematch Timeline Could Realistically Look Like

As of October 2026, no rematch has been announced — not a date, not a venue, not even serious negotiations reported anywhere. What we know is only that Paul is cleared and that his team, led by Bidarian and Most Valuable Promotions, is mapping the comeback.

The sensible sequence, if a rematch were ever the goal, would be a return fight first — something competitive enough to prove the jaw holds up under fire — followed by a second camp aimed specifically at Joshua. That puts any realistic rematch window well into 2027 at the earliest. And honestly, given the names on Paul's wish list (Wilder, Ngannou, Canelo, Ryan Garcia, KSI, and a closing line reading simply "World Title"), the Joshua rematch may end up as one option among many rather than the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Jake Paul fight Anthony Joshua?

They met on December 19, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Joshua won by knockout in round six, handing Paul the second loss of his professional career.

What exactly happened to Jake Paul's jaw?

According to reports, Joshua broke Paul's jaw in two places. Paul underwent two surgeries, with titanium plates reportedly used to repair the fractures, and was sidelined for approximately 293 days before being medically cleared in early October 2026.

Has Jake Paul been medically cleared to fight again?

Yes. In early October 2026, his promoter Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions announced Paul had been medically cleared, a development reported by USA Today on October 8, 2026.

Has the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua rematch been officially announced?

No. As of October 2026, there is no announced date, venue, or signed agreement for a rematch. It remains a rumor and a fan talking point, not a confirmed fight.

What is Jake Paul's professional boxing record?

Paul stands at 12 wins, 2 losses, with 7 knockouts across 14 professional fights. His losses came against Tommy Fury (split decision, February 2023) and Anthony Joshua (KO round 6, December 2025).

Closing

The Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua rematch is the fight fans will keep asking about — a broken jaw does not get forgotten. But wanting a rematch and taking one are different things when the last meeting ended with two surgeries and titanium plates. Expect Paul to prove the jaw is sound first, and keep every option, including Joshua, on the table for 2027.