Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
The Claim: Six Rounds Versus Two
Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian argued that Jake Paul presented a more durable challenge to Anthony Joshua than Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, despite Joshua suffering two knockdowns before securing a second-round stoppage against Prenga.
Joshua's return bout saw structural instability early. Prenga dropped the former two-time unified champion twice in the opening frame, testing Joshua's equilibrium before Joshua stabilized his base and ended the bout emphatically in round two. The victory keeps Joshua on track for a targeted year-end meeting with Tyson Fury.
Bidarian contrasted that brief firefight with Paul's December meeting against Joshua, where Paul absorbed sustained heavyweight force across six frames before a fight-ending punch fractured his jaw in two places.
"Jake Paul won more than the guy on Saturday night won," Bidarian told Sky Sports News. "He was in there for six rounds. That dude was out in two rounds, taking the same shots Jake was taking. The hardest shots on Jake Paul didn't do what they did to a heavyweight on Saturday."
Emotional Gravity in Joshua's Return
The bout marked Joshua's first ring appearance since surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. Joshua dedicated the victory to their memory.
Bidarian acknowledged the psychological weight Joshua carried into the ring after the tragedy. "For him to make that walk seven months later, to go into the ring with that emotion, I'm sure that weighed heavily on him. Massive respect, massive admiration," Bidarian said.
Jake Paul Shortlist and Next Steps
Despite undergoing surgery for a fractured jaw, Paul will resume his ring career. Bidarian confirmed that Paul is fully intent on returning to active competition once healed, outlining several high-profile targets across boxing and mixed martial arts.
- Francis Ngannou: Former UFC heavyweight champion with proven crossover drawing power.
- Tommy Fury: A logical rematch to settle their previous rivalry.
- Ryan Garcia: Current WBC welterweight world champion.
- Chris Eubank Jr: Veteran British middleweight contender.
- Edgar Berlanga: Super middleweight contender.
Bidarian noted that commercial terms must remain feasible for these matchups to materialize. Meanwhile, Most Valuable Promotions shifts focus to its next card, MVPW-06 in Birmingham on August 29, headlined by Mikaela Mayer against Chantelle Cameron alongside Caroline Dubois.
The canvas beneath the fresh stains dried into the dull gray of weathered limestone.
