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Rory McIlroy’s unexpected friendship with Meghan Markle that caused dramas exposed

Before tying the knot with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle generally maintained privacy around her personal relationships and even implemented a social media restriction at her initial wedding to Trevor Engelson.

Nevertheless, following her 2014 divorce, whispers about her connections with Rory McIlroy swiftly captured public attention. Rory, who claimed the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award on Thursday night, and Meghan initially met when the golfing champion challenged her to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge 11 years ago.

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity b

Footage of Rory, who was recently single at the time, drenching Meghan with icy water, sparked widespread rumors about a potential romantic connection, according to the Daily Mail.

Meghan also praised Rory as the “real deal” and described him as a “force” in a preserved entry on her former blog. At one stage, speculation that Meghan, then 33, and Rory, then 25, were romantically linked became so intense that the actress’s previous partner reportedly challenged her about it.

Celebrity chefs ‘angry questioning

Royal biographer Tom Bower alleged that celebrity chef Cory Vitiello, who was involved with Meghan during that period, “angrily” questioned the former Suits actress about whether there “had been an affair” following reports that she and Rory had shared dinner in Dublin.

“Emphatically, Meghan denied she had betrayed Cory. She and McIlroy were just friends, she said,” Bower documented in his book Revenge. Based on Bower’s account, their connection began after Meghan agreed to Rory’s Ice Bucket Challenge invitation, with the stipulation that he personally drench her at her friend’s apartment in NYC.

The pair filmed the challenge to raise awareness for ALS, with Meghan posting the video on her Vimeo account. The clip showed Rory, perched on a step ladder, dousing Meghan with icy water to fundraise for various ALS organizations.

Later that night, John Fitzpatrick, an Irish hotelier and self-proclaimed “huge fan of Suits,” spotted Rory and Meghan at his Fitzpatrick Hotel. He extended an invitation for them to join him and 18 other friends for dinner at Cipriani.

The following morning, Rory embarked on a 30-mile journey to Ringwood golf course for a competition but didn’t perform well. Feeling the effects of the previous night’s festivities, he slipped to 101st place and promptly “drove back to New York to see Meghan,” according to Bower.

Meghan’s heartfelt tribute to ‘cherished’ Rory.

Shortly thereafter, Meghan penned a glowing tribute to Rory on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. She hailed the athlete as the “foremost golfer in the world.

“Ah yes. Rory Mcllroy,” the future Duchess penned. “THE Rory Mcllroy. Whispered (and shouted) to be the foremost golfer in the world, loved by Tiger, respected by Palmer, and dumper of frigid water on my lone head for the ALS Bucket Challenge. That Rory McIlroy.”

She lauded his “work/play ethic” and “endearing quality,” describing him as “as real and honest as they come.” Meghan highlighted Rory’s “love for his parents” as something “rarely seen in men his age. Or at any age, to be honest. “He is not just the real deal… he is real. And perhaps that is what makes him even more cherished,” she wrote.

Dublin reunion sparks further rumors

Two months later, Meghan and Rory reunited in Dublin after Meghan reportedly “lobbied hard” to secure an invitation to the esteemed One Young World summit. Bower suggested that Meghan, who gained fame from her role in Suits, was realizing that “celebrity in Hollywood was enhanced by philanthropy and activism.”

At the event, Meghan spoke about gender equality alongside tech entrepreneur Sheryl Sandberg and film director Maya Sanbar. This boost to her career also fueled rumors of a romantic relationship with Rory after they were seen dining at a high-end Dublin restaurant.

Meghan appeared “smitten” as she “gazed intensely” at Rory, while a source told Irish reporter Alexandra Ryan that they “sat beside each other looking very cosy and chatted all night.”

Bower alleges that Meghan’s friends in Ireland also “assumed” the pair had “met unseen, earlier during her visit.”

Chef boyfriend’s confrontations

However, Meghan had traveled to Dublin from Toronto with Cory, a trip that “some would suggest was paid for by Rory.”

Meghan described Cory as her “very favorite chef,” and they were together for two years before ending their relationship just two months prior to her blind date with Prince Harry.

But Meghan’s friendship with Rory reportedly caused tension early on in her relationship with Cory. Bower revealed that Cory asked Meghan in the summer of 2014 if she was “having a relationship” with the golf star.

Meghan reportedly “insisted their time together was innocent” and Cory “believed her.” However, reports of Meghan and Rory’s Dublin dinner allegedly “annoyed Cory” who “angrily” asked again if there “had been an affair.

“Emphatically, Meghan denied that she had betrayed Cory,” insisting they were “just friends,” wrote Bower. “Once more, he believed her.” The following day, Ryan penned an updated article portraying Cory and Meghan as “madly in love” and “sewn at the hip” throughout their entire stay in Ireland – much to Meghan’s “relief.” The golfer was not her future,” Bower observed.

Rory and Meghan’s fairy tale conclusions.

Following their alleged romantic connection, both Rory and Meghan discovered lasting love. Meghan notably married Prince Harry in May 2018 after they met through a blind date arrangement in 2016.

Meanwhile, Rory started a relationship with Erica Stoll in 2015, and the pair tied the knot in April 2017. Though they temporarily filed for divorce after seven years of marriage, they reunited just one month later. Rory and Erica are parents to a five-year-old daughter, Poppy.

BOXING

Jake Paul admits biggest mistake against Anthony Joshua, trashes Francis Ngannou

Jake Paul might be gunning for Francis Ngannou next.

This past weekend, Paul took on his biggest boxing challenge yet, facing off with Olympic gold medalist and former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua; it did not go great for him. Paul, who was significantly smaller than Joshua, spent most of the early rounds minimizing engagements and wrestling before getting brutally stopped in the sixth round with a right hand that broke his jaw in two places. But despite the poor outcome, Paul remains upbeat in the aftermath.

“I mean, it’s not that hard to get your ass beat [laughs],” Paul joked, speaking with his brother, Logan Paul, on the IMPAULSIVE podcast. “Actually, I won two rounds, then he won two, then I got dropped. But yeah, I was doing good. I just think my cardio, the mental pressure of the big guy, and sparring the big people, is different than the 10-ounce gloves. So I was feeling his power more. But it was great experience. I learned a lot in there.”

JUST IN: Deontay Wilder Give Real Reason Oleksandr Usyk Wants To Fight

No official scorecards have been released for the bout, so it’s unclear if Paul had actually won any rounds, but the YouTuber-turned-boxer clearly feels pretty good about his performance, especially given the circumstances. Originally, Paul was set to face lightweight Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout in November, but that bout was cancelled after Davis was named in a civil suit alleging domestic violence. Instead, Paul and his promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, pushed the event back to December, and he went from fighting a lightweight to a former heavyweight champion, without proper preparation.

“It was just mental,” Paul said. “It was just like, him imposing his will on me, and being massive, and the big shots landing. Then, yeah, it pretty much all goes downhill from there.

“I wish I had more than three weeks to prepare, to maybe put on some more muscle to be able to sit there and hit him. And I should have gone to altitude to train. That was my biggest mistake. I felt good about [my camp], yeah. But I just needed to have that extra level of cardio for this, and that only can come from going to altitude.

“It’s a great experience overall to be in there with someone that’s that good. I learned a lot. I see where I could have done better. So, I’m a little disappointed, but I also know how good he is. But I had him wobbled at one point. I had him wobbled.”

And though he may have lost, Paul did at least accomplish something he set out to do before the fight started: survive for longer than former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who lost to Joshua by brutal second-round knockout in March of 2024.

“I told everyone that I would do better than Francis, and that Francis kinda got no chin,” Paul said. “Francis is low-key soft.”

After Paul’s fight with Davis fell through, Ngannou was contacted to see if he might be interested in fighting Paul, carrying on Paul’s trend of boxing MMA fighters; however, “The Predator” turned down the offer. While the two have previously supported each other at times, things have also been combative at points, and now it seems Paul wants to take that into the ring.

“I’ll fight Francis,” Paul said. “That’s a good idea, actually. I think maybe now he’ll take it, and be like, ‘Oh, shit.’

BOXING

Deontay Wilder Give Real Reason Oleksandr Usyk Wants To Fight

Deontay Wilder Give Real Reason Oleksandr Usyk Wants To Fight Him

Deontay Wilder thinks Oleksandr Usyk has only recently called him out because the Ukrainian believes Wilder is no longer the fighter he once was.

Wilder, 40, defeated Tyrell Herndon in Wichita, Kansas, in the summer, marking his first win in three years after losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

Wilder told BoxingScene the queue to face him was shorter when he was knocking everyone out.

JUST IN: “There’s been no fight like it”: Gervonta Davis targeted for ‘super fig

“When I was at the top and stuff, nobody, they didn’t talk that way [challenging him],” Wilder said. “You understand me? It was a different language, because I still got that power right here. But they feel because of my derailing of certain situations and me mentally getting myself back together, they feel like, ‘Oh, now we can beat him. Let’s give him an opportunity.’ Because I know for sure the more you lose, the more opportunities you get than when you winning. I know that for a fact. You get more opportunity losing than you winning because people feel like they can beat you.”

Usyk might also want Wilder because it would allow him to have a big fight in the United States. Having already beaten Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice each, beating Wilder would add the final big name of the heavyweight era to Usyk’s resume.

Wilder understands that reasoning, too.

“Now, you are right about finishing out the era and stuff because that’s a great thing. I would want to do that as well,” Wilder added.

Wilder also knows that, stylistically, they are poles apart as fighters.

Usyk is a cultured southpaw, an Olympic gold medallist, while Wilder packs one of the great heavyweight punches of all time – that straight right hand – but is a comparatively crude slugger.

“I think he’s a very skilful fighter,” Wilder admitted. “Even when I first was introduced to him and stuff like that, I always thought Usyk had nice skills.”

Then, addressing criticisms of his style, Wilder added: “It’s crazy how people’s mindset is.

“One minute when you’re great and doing your thing, ‘Oh, he’s wild, he’s ready, he don’t know how to box.’ Now, when they feel like you’re gone and they want you back, ‘We want the old Wilder back.’ I’m like, ‘Y’all not really like him or something like that? You really want him back or you want the new one? Which one you want?’

“But it’s all good, man. You can’t please all the people all the time. You never can. You got to have a sense of humor, especially when you’re in the business of boxing. You just have to. You have to have tough skin as well. And that I have. I have it all, and I’m looking forward to whatever God has for me. It’s going to be big for me, and people are about to be shocked. When Ali said he shook the world, he shocked the world. I’m going to shock it, and I’m going to shock it as well.”

BOXING

“There’s been no fight like it”: Gervonta Davis targeted for ‘super fig

“There’s been no fight like it”: Gervonta Davis targeted for ‘super fight’ rematch

Gervonta Davis has been called out for a money-spinning rematch, most likely at a weight where he would be forced to contend with a considerable size discrepancy.

The 31-year-old has not fought since his controversial draw with Lamont Roach, who was ultimately denied a monumental upset victory in March.

READ: Anthony Joshua Delivers Honest Verdict On Jake Paul’s Power

Their lightweight encounter was then followed by the bizarre news that Davis, who still holds the WBA world title at 135lbs, would be entering an exhibition match with Jake Paul.

The pair were supposed to meet at a catchweight of 195lbs on November 14, before ‘Tank’ was ruled out of their Netflix event due to fresh allegations of domestic violence.

Instead, Paul suffered a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Anthony Joshua last Friday, with Davis still facing legal action from his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel.

As of now, it is difficult to gauge whether the Baltimore man will ever return to the ring, let alone defend his WBA title against a worthy challenger.

But, nevertheless, Ryan Garcia has now thrown his hat into the ring for a potential rematch, hoping to avenge his seventh-round stoppage defeat of 2023.

The 27-year-old is expected to challenge WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios this coming February, despite suffering a points loss to Rolando Romero in May.

But while that does appear to be the plan, Garcia has nonetheless expressed his interest in a second encounter with Davis.

Sharing his thoughts on X, ‘King Ry’ signalled that he hopes to be involved in another blockbuster event, whether it be a Davis rematch or something of equal magnitude.

“To be real there hasn’t been a fight like my fight with Gervonta. We brought OG super fight back for one night. I want to do another one like that.”

Garcia has made no secret that he wants to avenge his loss to ‘Tank,’ citing the rehydration clause as the reason behind the dominant defeat. As he now campaigns at 147lbs and doesn’t look to be dropping back down, running it back with the naturally smaller Davis seems more unlikely than ever.

CELEB NEWS

Serena Williams Congratulates Sister Venus on Marriage to

Serena Williams Congratulates Sister Venus on Marriage to Andrea Preti, Says Seeing Her ‘Built-in Best Friend’ So ‘Loved’ Means ‘Everything’ to Her

The Williams sisters have each other’s backs on the court — and down the aisle.

In a new Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Serena Williams gushed about her older sister Venus Williams following Venus’ wedding to actor Andrea Preti. “My sister’s keeper,” Serena, 44, began the lengthy caption. “Venus, where do I even begin?”

Serena went on to describe the way she’s seen Venus lead with “grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy” as the two professional tennis players grew from “backyard courts” to “the biggest stages in the world.”

READ: What Novak Djokovic said the umpire shouldn’t have done after Serena Williams

“Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise,” she continued.

“You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant… it means everything to me. To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always,” the caption concluded.

Serena wore a white strapless mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline, flowing cape and detached lace sleeves. Pearl jewelry and pointed-toe heels accessorized the design, as did her old-Hollywood-inspired blonde waves and red manicure.

Serena and Venus Williams Team Up Once Again — But This Time, It’s Off the Court: ‘We’re So Much More Than Sport’ (Exclusive)

While usually taboo for anyone but the bride to wear white, the choice seemed intentionally made by Venus, 45, who also had their two other sisters, Lyndrea Price and Isha Price, niece Justus, and mom Oracene dressed in white.

In the months leading up to the wedding, Serena told PEOPLE during the launch of her and Venus’ new podcast, Stockton Street, in September 2025, that she was busy with “so much planning” ahead of her older sister’s wedding. She noted that Venus leaned on her for help as she’s known as someone who can “get things done.”

Serena also recalled one of their recent planning calls, saying her sister wanted her input on “literally 14 hairstyles.” She explained, “So she sent me her options and within 30 minutes I had them not only done, but in a PDF file what hairstyle looked best on everyone.”

Venus Williams and Serena Williams with Champagne Collet & OBC Wines as they celebrate the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

“I’m the person that arranges things, I’m like the planner. I plan everything like the event. I’m the person that gets things done,” she added of her role.

Venus and Preti were first linked in July 2024 when they were seen boating in Nerano, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. After months of rumors, she finally confirmed the relationship during a post-match interview in July 2025 when she referred to Preti as her “fiancé.”

In 2025, Venus and Preti actually got married twice. The first ceremony came in September, when they tied the knot in Italy. They were wed again on Dec. 19 in a courthouse ceremony in West Palm Beach, Fla., following a full week of festivities before the big day.

Prior to the courthouse ceremony, Venus, Preti, and their guests enjoyed a yacht day, romantic dinner, and a bridal shower.

“For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep,” Preti told Vogue, adding that “it was the second-best day” of his life, after the wedding itself.

CELEB NEWS

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity b

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy presented with golden opportunity by Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka’s choice to part ways with LIV Golf after the 2025 season was presented as a personal and friendly decision, but the timing of his departure could align perfectly for him to be picked up by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL digital golf league.

The five-time PGA Tour major champion and high-profile golfer will cease participating in LIV events starting in 2026 after fulfilling this year’s commitments. He pointed to family priorities, including his son Crew with his wife Jena, and a challenging year that included a publicly announced miscarriage in October 2025, as factors influencing his career decisions.

“Family has always guided Brooks’ decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” his management team stated. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil also clarified that Koepka’s exit was not related to performance, tension, or politics.

READ: Rory McIlroy confirms reason wife Erica Stoll missed his lat

The TGL joint venture between McIlroy and Woods continues to gather steam, with potential buyers even expressing interest in acquiring expansion franchises beyond the league’s seven teams. The tech-savvy league is based entirely in South Florida, approximately a 17-minute drive from Koepka’s hometown of West Palm Beach.

Koepka resides in Pennock Point, a $9 million waterfront property in Jupiter, situating him less than an hour from the venue and solidly within the same South Florida ecosystem that already includes Woods, McIlroy, and several other top-tier players.

TGL’s schedule fits perfectly with Koepka’s desire to remain close to home, while its television-friendly format suits his requirements. PGA Tour regulations bar players who defect to the rival circuit from competing for one year following their last appearance, making Koepka immediately ineligible.

The PGA Tour responded to the development, stating: “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success.”

Although no official agreement has been confirmed, fans have already started piecing together clues online, noting that limited options would enable Koepka to maintain proximity to home while remaining involved in elite-level competition.

Speculation heated up earlier this year after Koepka was seen attending a TGL match last February where The Bay Golf Club topped Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club. Koepka attracted attention by rising to his feet and applauding Kevin Kisner following a shank shot recognized as the league’s first.

Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 through a deal estimated at around $100 million. Despite being contracted through 2026, he departed prior to completing his final season. He led Smash GC as captain but will now be succeeded by Talor Gooch.

TGL’s compensation model included a $21 million prize pool in Season 1, with the championship team collecting $9 million by season’s end. With four players per team, individual payouts exceeded $2 million for each member.

Last year, Atlanta Drive Golf Club triumphed over New York Golf Club 2-0 in the best-of-three finals to clinch the title. The team is composed of Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua Delivers Honest Verdict On Jake Paul’s Power

Anthony Joshua beat Jake Paul as many expected this past weekend.

This contest was a huge mismatch in every way. Joshua has been fighting for almost 20 years at the top level, starting out at the Olympics with a gold medal, then quickly imposing himself on the heavyweight division.

He became world champion in 2016, when Paul was still acting on the Disney Channel, and unified the division with some huge fights against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker.

JUST IN: Donald Trump Speaks Out After Seeing Jake Paul Get Knocked Out by Anthony Joshua

He came unstuck in 2021 and 2022 with back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, and also lost to Daniel Dubois last time out in September 2024.

Meanwhile, Paul has fought largely ageing boxers past their best, and old MMA stars who have switched codes. As such, it was little surprise to see him stopped inside six rounds and leave the ring with a badly broken jaw, having barely landed a glove on Joshua.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Joshua was asked how he felt about his performance.

“Could have been better but we got there in the end.”

He was then rather dismissive when asked about Paul’s power.

“It was alright.”

Finally, he was asked if he was surprised Paul lasted as along as he did.

“Kinda.”

Joshua will be looking to get back to fighting more credible opponents in 2026 as he looks to work his way back into world title contention or the biggest fights possible.

The one the fans most want to see is with Tyson Fury, his fellow Brit and long time rival, and the man ‘AJ’ called out in the ring soon after his fight with Paul ended. For now, Fury is still retired, having left the sport back in January, just days after his second straight loss to Usyk.

BOXING

Donald Trump Speaks Out After Seeing Jake Paul Get Knocked Out by Anthony Joshua

US President Donald Trump has revealed his thoughts on Jake Paul’s knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

After promising to cause the biggest upset in the history of boxing, influencer Paul failed to impress fans during his fight with two-time heavyweight champion Joshua.

Paul spent much of the early rounds refusing to engage with Joshua but eventually was forced to in the sixth round, where he was knocked up after failing to make the referee’s count.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua’s preferred next fight option over Tyson Fury name

After the fight, many have criticised the influencer’s performance, feeling that he had intentionally misled fans, with referee Christopher Young even telling Paul to be more active mid-fight.

And now, American President Trump has spoken out to have his say on Paul’s performance in the fight.

While fans have criticised Paul’s performance, co-founder of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, argued that the YouTuber had only lost because of the size difference, not because of the skill difference.

After watching the fight, it appears that Trump’s opinion is more in line with Bidarian, as the US president praised Paul for the heart he showed in the fight and his ability to stay in the fight for so long.

Posting on Truth social, Trump wrote: “I just got to watch the Jake Paul Fight, and he did really well, especially as a display of GREAT Courage against a very talented and large Anthony Joshua.

“Fantastic Entertainment, but Kudos to Jake for his Stamina, and frankly, Ability, against a much bigger man!”

Paul is five inches shorter than Joshua and went into the fight nearly two stone lighter than the former heavyweight champion.

The loss has left Paul with a brutal injury as he revealed he has broken his jaw in two places and, after a successful surgery, will have to eat food from a straw for seven days.

And Trump wasn’t the only big name offering respect to Paul for his performance as, despite critcising the influencer ahead of the fight, former UFC champion Conor McGregor also praised Paul.

Posting on Instagram after the fight, McGregor wrote: ““Fair play! Well done.”

BOXING

Anthony Joshua’s preferred next fight option over Tyson Fury name

Anthony Joshua’s preferred next fight option over Tyson Fury named after Jake Paul win

Eddie Hearn has shared that Anthony Joshua would prefer to fight Fabio Wardley next.

Joshua returned to winning ways when he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their controversial heavyweight contest on December 19.

Anthony Joshua backstage at his fight with Jake Paul

JUST IN: Why Jake Paul Isn’t Banned: Understanding Post-Fight Boxing

Having just come back from 15 months on the sidelines, AJ is reported to be fighting once more before a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026.

As speculation grows over who his next opponent will be, it certainly needs to be a credible heavyweight if he is looking to reassert his dominance.

With that in mind, his promoter, Hearn, has stated that Joshua would favour a match-up with the current WBO heavyweight champion Wardley.

He told Boxing Social: “That’s the world heavyweight title. That’s actually AJ’s preference over Tyson Fury.

“AJ would love to win the world heavyweight title again.”

And the Matchroom Boxing kingpin even suggested AJ would be open to taking both.

Hearn added: “If they offer us the Fabio Wardley fight and then the Tyson Fury fight, AJ, I think, would have absolutely no problems taking that ASAP.

“But the size of the Fury fight, that’s what’s interesting to people and His Excellency.

“I don’t think His Excellency is going to come and offer us that fight [Wardley].

“If so, we can fight for the world heavyweight championship, absolutely.

LONDON, ENGLAND. OCT 25: Joseph Parker v Fabio Wardley fight night at Londons 02 Arena, Greenwich, London, England on the 25th October 2025. Queensberry Promotions. Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

“But I think [Turki Alalshikh] is going to say this is the guy we want for February or March, or whenever it will be, and then you fight Tyson Fury.”

That being said, Fury is also said to be having a separate fight ahead of headlining the speculated Riyadh Season event with Joshua.

Which means that theoretically, either man could take on Wardley in the meantime.

Especially as Fury also surprisingly named Wardley on the hit-list for his pending return.

What has Fabio Wardley said about fighting Anthony Joshua?

When the Ipswich native was asked about meeting Joshua in the ring, he confirmed he was open to making his first title defence against his compatriot.

Wardley told Sky Sports: “It would be a fight I’d take and I’d happily welcome.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND, JUNE 07: Fight Night - Fabio Wardley v Justis Huni + undercard on the 7th June 2025. Portman Road, Ipswich Town Football Club, Ipswich, England.

“Even though I’m obviously at the top now, I still want to face the best guys out there in the division, whether that’s AJ, Usyk, whoever it may be.

“I just want to be in big, competitive fights. I’m happy to take on all comers, in that aspect.

“I want to be in there with some of the best in the world, and he [Joshua] is undoubtedly one of those guys, one of those names.”

BOXING

Why Jake Paul Isn’t Banned: Understanding Post-Fight Boxing

Jake Paul Isn’t Banned: Understanding Post-Fight Boxing Suspensions

After Jake Paul’s KO loss to Anthony Joshua, false claims that he had been ‘banned’ from boxing circulated. In reality, this is standard procedure in the sport, and every fighter faces similar post-fight medical suspensions.

Why Post-Fight Suspensions Exist
As explains, boxing commissions impose mandatory medical suspensions after every bout to protect fighters’ health. These suspensions give the body time to recover from injuries, bruising, or concussions before returning to the ring.

READ: Anthony Joshua Set to Lose Almost Half of His £70 Million Earnings From Jake Paul Fight

The length of a suspension depends on the outcome of the fight:

TKO or technical stoppage: 30 days
Knockout (KO): 60 days
Because Jake Paul was knocked out in the fight, he received the standard 60-day suspension — the same medical protocol any professional boxer would face after a KO.

This is not a punishment, nor a ban from the sport; it is simply a safety measure required by the commission.

Every Boxer Faces This Rule
Whether it’s Anthony Joshua, Terence Crawford, or an up-and-coming prospect, all fighters are subject to the same regulations.

Commissions around the world prioritize fighter safety, and post-fight suspensions are a routine part of boxing governance.

Why Headlines Can Be Misleading
After high-profile fights, clickbait headlines often exaggerate standard procedures. Words like “banned” or “suspended” can create unnecessary panic or confusion among fans. However, the explanation is far more mundane: medical suspensions are regular and protect fighters’ long-term health.

What This Means for Jake Paul
Jake Paul will be eligible to fight again after serving his 60-day suspension, just like any other boxer in his situation. Following a double jaw break, he is expected to be sidelined for an extended period.

No special treatment or restriction has been applied beyond what the commission mandates for safety reasons.

Understanding these rules is crucial for fans navigating post-fight news. What might appear as a ban is simply the sport enforcing universal medical safety standards.