Jake Paul to fight in Dubai on 24 December, his first bout since Anthony Joshua broke his jaw

Jake Paul will return to the ring on 24 December in Dubai, he said on Thursday, just over a year after the knockout loss to Anthony Joshua that broke his jaw in two places, Reuters reported via Business Recorder.

The 29-year-old American will headline a Christmas Eve card. His opponent has not been announced.

A year out

Paul's last fight was a sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Miami on 19 December last year. The jaw fracture needed several operations, in December and again in February.

"Nothing that's happened has changed my belief in myself or what I'm working toward," Paul said in a statement. "I am hungrier than ever and on December 24 I'm returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey."

Asked about opponents, he said: "We've got plenty of names on the list; let's see who signs the contract."

Record

• Professional record: 12 wins, 2 losses
• Losses: Tommy Fury and Anthony Joshua

Why Dubai matters for fans in Pakistan

Dubai is one hour behind Pakistan, so a main event there lands at a far friendlier hour for viewers here than a US card, which usually runs into the small hours of the morning in PKT. A Dubai evening main event would fall in Pakistan's late evening or around midnight; we will give the exact PKT time once the card and broadcaster are confirmed.

The Gulf has become a regular stop for big fight nights, and the large Pakistani community in the UAE makes them popular with fans from here. If you are planning to fly in for the fight, today's dirham rate and our currency converter give the rupee cost of tickets priced in AED.

For UFC fans, our living UFC schedule in Pakistan time lists every upcoming card with PKT start times.