Error code: %{errorCode}
Should Joshua defeat be end of the road for Paul after jaw injury?
Jake Paul's tacit admission that his boxing days could well be behind him will have been met with a mixed reception earlier this week.
'The Problem Child' courts plenty of contrasting opinions across the spectrum: as a fighter, as a promoter, and as a social media star.
December's six-round loss to Anthony Joshua was more than a bridge too far for the nominal cruiserweight in more than heft alone.
It was a blunt reminder of a white-collar skillset placed against the blue-chip pedigree of an Olympian and two-time world champion.
DAZN FACE OFF: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
Watch dramatic clash here
Joshua, fighting for the first time in over a year, went through the motions before ultimately leaving Paul with a double-broken jaw.
The Ohio native's revelation that his ring career remains up in the air on The Ariel Helwani Show should perhaps not surprise many.
Yet his self-promotional grift and sheer braggadocio, tied into a new-generation audience, have undoubtedly fueled his staying power.
Now, as he awaits the results of further scans, the question for Paul is this - should his loss be a sign that he is at the end of the road?
What injury did Paul suffer?
Having struggled to find any momentum against the larger, more experienced Joshua, Paul was rocked hard in a brutal sixth round.
Joshua's combo broke the American's jaw in two places and necessitated surgery afterwards, which the star revealed on social media.
Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images
Speaking this week, Paul mentioned that his doctors were still assessing the injury almost five months on from a tough night in Miami.
"Can I even fight again?" he stated. "That is definitely in the realm and possibilities of things. Most definitely [my career could be over].
"It just depends on how the bone heals. Plus, there's a tooth missing. We just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me."
What incentive does Paul have to fight again?
Truthfully, it is difficult to see where Paul may realistically go when it comes to topping his bout with Joshua as a promotional exercise.
Describing their clash as "a win on so many different levels", the star describes his fight in terms of his company and content portfolio.
His willingness to get in the ring with anybody for highly lucrative sums, as he did with an aging Mike Tyson, speaks to his business nous.
Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024
But after such a brutal reverse - Paul has undoubtedly never suffered a boxing injury quite like this - he must balance his health too.
Paul says that he is "here for entertainment purposes". With some eyewatering paydays pocketed, however, now may be the time to quit.
Will Paul remain involved in boxing?
Just because Paul may hang up his gloves does not mean he appears poised to walk away from the sport and its interests, however.
The co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, the star has increasingly run his outfit as a champion destination for female fighters.
Several of the sport's biggest stars have penned terms with him and his team in the past two years, including multiple champions.
Paul has arguably helped to broaden commercial opportunities and big-card chances for most under his promotional wing thus far.
If this is indeed the time for him to call it quits on the canvas as a fighter himself, it seems implausible that he will depart the scene entirely.
Watch Usyk vs Verhoeven only on DAZN
Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
