Jake Paul gave Anthony Joshua a tougher test than Kristian Prenga, says MVP’s Nakisa Bidarian | Debate News
Jake Paul has given Anthony Joshua a bigger challenge than Kristian Prenga, according to Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian.
In his first fight since facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul last December, Joshua was sent to the canvas twice in the first round by the unpopular Albanian.
Joshua hit the canvas twice, finishing with a clear knockout of Prenga in the second round to stay on course for a showdown with Tyson Fury at the end of the year.
But for Bidarian, the bout also highlighted how well Paul did against Joshua over six rounds before the British heavyweight landed a knockout blow that broke his jaw.
“Jake Paul won more than the guy won on Saturday night,” Bidarian said Sky Sports News. “He was in there for six rounds. That guy was out for two rounds, Jake said the same thing.
“I’m very happy with the way he played, I’m not happy with the result, and I didn’t like him breaking his jaw, but the hard shots on Jake Paul didn’t do it at heavyweight on Saturday.
Joshua entered the ring for the first time since he survived a car accident that killed two of his friends in Nigeria.
Bidarian expressed his respect and appreciation for Joshua, who donated the Prenga win to his friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
“I’m proud of him, in awe of him, I think of him,” Bidarian said. “I texted him all week.
“We built a relationship with Sina, which was difficult for all of us, but there was no difficulty for anyone except their families and AJ, who is part of their family.
“For him to make that trip after seven months, to go into the ring with that emotion, I’m sure that put a lot of pressure on him. A lot of respect, a lot of praise.”
‘Paul is 100% boxing again’
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Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian says Jake Paul will return to the ring 100% and is looking at Francis Ngannou, Chris Eubank Jr and Ryan Garcia.
Paul hasn’t been seen in the ring since his jaw was broken in two places by Joshua, but Bidarian isn’t sure his boxing career is over.
The MVP CEO revealed a long list of possible opponents for Paul, including former UFC star Francis Ngannou, Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr and WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia.
“He’s 100 percent boxing again,” Bidarian said.
“Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, but Tommy Fury is a reasonable fight. Edgar Berlanga, that’s an interesting fight. I also like Chris Eubank Jr, that’s an interesting fight.
“Fighters on the other side also have to face the facts. Sometimes their eyes are bigger than what the box office gives us.”
Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron and also featuring Caroline Dubois, live on August 29 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or broadcast boxing without a contract.
