Jake Paul Announces Christmas Eve Netflix Return: 5 Guesses For His Opponent, Including Manny Pacquiao

Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions

Boxing lightning rod Jake Paul is officially set to make his return to the ring before 2026 comes to a close. On Thursday morning, MVP Promotions announced that Paul will headline an event on December 24 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. However, his opponent on Christmas Eve has not been revealed.

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“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face. Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward. I’m hungrier than ever, and on Thursday, December 24, I’m returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey,” the 29-year-old said in a press release.

Fight fans have not seen Paul since December of last year, when he took the risk of facing heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua. The risk did not pay off as he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss that included incurring a broken jaw.

With his opponent yet to be announced, we offer up some guesses for who Paul will face on Dec. 24.

Glover Texiera

Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Glover Teixeira (red gloves) enters the arena before the fight against Jamahal Hill (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira walked away from MMA three years ago. However, the 47-year-old has remained active in combat sports. Competing in a jiu-jitsu match for the UFC in 2023 and then he made a successful foray into boxing against fellow MMA great Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in August.

Paul has a long track record of facing well-aged UFC greats. With the fight only two months away, Teixeira jumping at the chance to make a big payday is believable. Furthermore, it would not be surprising if Paul were also angling for the crossover connection with Teixeira being a close friend and coach for UFC superstar Alex Pereira.

Darren Till

Sep 28, 2019; Copenhagen, DEN; MMA fighter Darren Till reacts during a bout between Gunnar Nelson (not pictured) and Gilbert Burns (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Royal Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Former UFC star Darren Till walked away from the MMA game four years ago and has focused on boxing ever since. Competing for companies like Misfits and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. In those bouts, he has posted a 5-0 record (two of the bouts were exhibitions).

While he doesn’t have as much boxing training as Paul, he isn’t too far off. Furthermore, he always has high-level skills with his hands in MMA, and at 33 years old, he offers legit competition that is still in prime athletic years.

Manny Pacquiao

Apr 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao prepares to throw out the first pitch prior to the game between the Athletics and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

When it comes to Jake Paul opponents, size and age don’t matter. Before he ended up taking a fight with a far bigger Joshua last year, he was originally set to face a far smaller Gervonta Davis. Furthermore, he loves to battle the legends of fight sports. That is why a matchup with a 47-year-old Manny Pacquiao can’t be ruled out.

The boxing icon just fought last year and nearly won a world title. So he is still in great shape. Moreover, the visual of Pacquiao and Paul — two men with sizable fan bases — facing off would be easy to sell because it would look like something out of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out.

Edgar Berlanga

Oct 9, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Marcelo Esteban Coceres (red trunks) and Edgar Berlanga (white/pink trunks) during their vacant NABO super middleweight championship boxing match at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Former super middleweight champion Edgar Berlanga has publicly called for a fight with Paul in the past, yet those requests have gone unanswered. Since the Ohio native seems to be in a period where he wants to take on bigger threats, it is possible he takes on Berlanga’s challenge to prove he actually is a world-class boxer.

Gervonta Davis

United States and British flags line the London Bridge at Lake Havasu City.

As mentioned above, Paul was originally supposed to face lightweight superstar Gervonta Davis in a matchup last year. However, the pound-for-pound star pulled out of the bout. Since he has no fight currently set, it is possible the two sides smoothed out their issues and made a new version of their previous contract so they can cash in before 2026 comes to a close.

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