Cedric Doumbe says it is “crazy” he will get the chance to “face my boss and knock him out” when he fights Jake Paul in Dubai on 24 December.

Doumbe is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) – an MMA organisation that Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions merged with in July.

The pair will fight on Christmas Eve in Paul’s first bout since being stopped by former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua last December.

In a news conference in Paris to promote the event, Cameroonian-born Frenchman Doumbe thanked MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian for his role in setting up the fight against Paul.

“I want to thank Nakisa. He’s the boss. And Jake, he’s the boss, too. I want to thank Nakisa, because that’s the first time I will face my boss and knock him out,” said Doumbe.

“My boss will pay me to knock him out. That’s crazy. We never see that before.”

The fight against 29-year-old American Paul is a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight boxing bout with the fighters using 10oz gloves.

Paul, who is a social media influencer turned professional fighter, has won 12 of his 14 fights as a professional, with his two defeats coming against Tommy Fury and Joshua.

Doumbe, 34, is a former kickboxing world champion who has won two of his three fights since joining the PFL in 2023.

Despite having just one professional boxing bout to his name, which he won in 2015, Doumbe says he’s “watching videos on Netflix” instead of training for the fight because he regards Paul as a “joke”.

“I do nothing. I just watch videos on Netflix. I just want this fight, this clown fight. I have everything to beat this guy,” said Doumbe.

“This guy is a joke. He’s a very great YouTuber, but he’s not a fighter. He’s not even a good boxer. I just need to lose weight to face this guy, that’s why I’m training now.”

Paul had to have two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after having his jaw broken by Joshua – an injury which left his career in doubt.

Last week Paul said on social media he would retire if he lost to Doumbe, before confirming his plans in the news conference.

“I’m 100% retiring if I lose to this guy. For sure,” said Paul.

“He’s never been in there with someone like me in boxing. It’s a completely different sport, that’s what he doesn’t understand.

“I know he’s going to bring a tough fight, but it’s just not going to be enough, and that’s it at the end of the day.”



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