Boxer and internet personality Jake Paul might step back into the ring on December 24, as discussions are underway for a Christmas Eve event that could feature Darren Till. Medical clearance has now been given to Paul following a broken jaw sustained against Anthony Joshua last December. Organizers are targeting a festive bout this year, with Dubai being considered as a venue while Nakisa Bidarian coordinates talks with potential fighters and television partners.
Bidarian co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with Paul in 2022 and sees an opening for live sports during the holiday period. Ahead of MVPW 7 on November 8, he told SunSport, "It's a moment where everyone is at home."
He added, "Everyone is kind of focused on their family and some food and they're usually watching some s****y reruns or some second-tier sports product if it's on."
Bidarian noted that Amazon is airing an NFL game on Christmas Eve for the first time this year, viewing the date as an advantage because audiences have free time. Regarding Christmas Day, he stated, "Christmas Day is busy, in the US anyways, as it's the NBA and the NFL going back-to-back-to-back."
Four possible fighters are currently in discussions to face Paul, who is 29, with 33-year-old former UFC fighter Darren Till included on that list. Tommy Fury, who is 27 and fought Paul previously, is not being considered.
Till departed the UFC in 2023 to sign with Misfits Boxing, securing three victories in crossover bouts before competing in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he defeated Aaron Chalmers and Yoel Romero.
Bidarian said, "Darren Till is definitely one of the names that Jake put out there on his list and is definitely one of the names that we've been speaking to."
He continued, "The date and time and location depends on how quickly I can get the opponent done and the distribution of the fight appropriately figured out based on that opponent."
He concluded, "So, if it takes another three, four, five weeks to figure this out, there's no fighting this year; it's probably early next year. If we figure it out in the next 24 hours, we'll hopefully get a fight in this year. But I can't tell you today if, you know, it's one or the other, but we're trying our best to get it done.":
