Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian has revealed the “most obvious” comeback opponent for his business partner, Jake Paul.
‘The Problem Child’ suffered the most brutal defeat of his entire career when he unravelled against Britain’s two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in December on Netflix.
Though Paul started reasonably enough, with a defensive-first approach that, at times, bordered on avoidance, it really only delayed the inevitable. Joshua dropped Paul multiple times until it was called off, with the American suffering a fractured jaw in the process.
The loss has not perturbed Paul from continuing in prizefighting, though, and Bidarian is already lining up options for him to return to the ring against — and many of the possibilities mentioned are familiar opponents.
In footage Boxing Social recently captured, Bidarian said:
“The most obvious is Tommy Fury.”
Paul fought Fury before in 2023, dropping a split decision when the pair fought at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia. Paul has made significant improvements to his abilities since then, going on to win six fights in succession, including a victory over the former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Fury, 26, is three years younger than Paul, and considerably less active, beating KSI and Kenan Hanjalic in the three years since their fight.
“It’s a fight that should be made if Tommy is reasonable in terms of what the terms are of the fight,” Bidarian said.
Bidarian name-checks 3 opponents for Paul
If Bidarian were unsatisfied with Fury’s terms, he has back-up options, he told Boxing Social — both of whom are British, as Paul appears ready to reset in a more appropriate division, and level of competition, than the former heavyweight ruler Joshua.
“Viddal Riley is an interesting fight,” Bidarian said.
A 13-0 pro, Riley — an internet sensation himself — has a remarkable career in combat sport as he embarked on a more traditional boxing career, winning the vacant English cruiserweight title in 2023, before adding the British belt to his honors roll with a decision win over Cheavon Clarke in April, last year.
Most Valuable Promotions is also eyeing a crossover fight against rising Misfits fighter Darren Till, a Muay Thai striker who tallied wins in the UFC until a blip saw him leave the roster. In Misfits, Till appears reborn, beating Anthony Taylor by knockout, Darren Steward by decision, and Luke Rockhold by knockout.
“Darren Till is an interesting fight,” Bidarian said. “And those three fights come to mind.”