Jake Paul provided more of a challenge to Anthony Joshua 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 by two first-round knockdowns from the unfancied Albanian.
Joshua clawed himself off the canvas twice, eventually knocking Prenga out in emphatic fashion in round two to stay on track for an end-of-year showdown with Tyson Fury.
But as far as Bidarian is concerned, the contest further highlighted how well Paul performed against Joshua over six rounds before the British heavyweight landed a knockout punch that broke his jaw.
“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.
“I’m very happy with his performance, not happy with the outcome, and didn’t like that he broke his jaw, but the hardest shots on Jake Paul didn’t do what they did to a heavyweight on Saturday.”
Joshua set foot back in the ring for the first time since he survived a fatal car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria.
Bidarian expressed his respect and admiration for Joshua, who dedicated the Prenga win to his friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
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Jake Paul told Sky Sports he eyes a fight with Francis Ngannou in his comeback bout after losing to Anthony Joshua.
“I’m proud of him, in awe of him, thinking of him,” Bidarian said. “I sent him messages throughout the week.
“We developed a relationship with Sina, which was hard for all of us, but no harder for anyone than their families and AJ, who is part of their family.
“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.”
‘Paul 100 per cent boxing again’
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Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian says Jake Paul will 100% be returning to the ring and has Francis Ngannou, Chris Eubank Jr and Ryan Garcia all in his sights.
Paul hasn’t been seen in the ring since having his jaw broken in two places by Joshua, but Bidarian is adamant his boxing career is anything but over.
The MVP CEO outlined a lengthy shortlist of would-be opponents for Paul, which included former UFC star Francis Ngannou, Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr and WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia.
“100 per cent he’s boxing again,” Bidarian declared.
“Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, but Tommy Fury is a fight that makes sense. Edgar Berlanga, that’s a fascinating fight. I also like Chris Eubank Jr, that’s a fascinating fight.
“The fighters on the other side also need to be realistic. Sometimes their eyes are bigger than what the box office affords us to pay.”
Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron and with Caroline Dubois also in action, live on August 29 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.