Sports
Who will Jake Paul fight next — a boxer, athlete or celebrity — and when? MVP exec talks options
The last fight for Jake Paul was a global phenomenon.
An estimated 108-million live viewers in around 65 million households worldwide tuned in to Netflix last month to see the influencer-turned-boxer defeat legendary fighter Mike Tyson in a unanimous decision, making it the most-streamed sporting event.
Paul, 27, and Tyson, 58, reportedly made tens of millions of dollars from the event in Texas.
It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that everybody wants to be the next person to face Paul (11-1, 7 KOs).
“It’s boxers, it’s athletes, it’s celebrities — pretty much everyone in the world wants to challenge Jake Paul at this point in time, which is pretty remarkable just four years into his career and 12 fights as a professional,” said Nakisa Bidarian, who co-founded and runs Most Valuable Promotions with Paul.
So who will it be? And which platform will get to air the next fight that may attract millions of more eyeballs? Bidarian couldn’t say — not because it’s a closely guarded secret, but because those decisions have yet to be made.
“We’re definitely still looking at what the options are,” Bidarian said. “It starts with getting to an alignment with MVP, Jake and the rest of the company on where we’re going to put our product going forward. We obviously have been very successful with DAZN, we’ve been very successful with Netflix, we’ve been successful on pretty much every platform that we’ve been on.
“And now we’re at a point in time where we want to have a long-term media rights partner. Part of that would include Jake Paul, part of that would include Amanda Serrano and the rest of the MVP roster that we’re building. And then once we have that, we can then determine what’s the next appropriate step for Jake based on his career path, ambitions and aspirations.”
Bidarian offered some insight into those decisions, a time frame for when Paul’s next fight will take place, the massive success of the Tyson fight and more during a phone interview Thursday.
(The questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity)
What is the thought process in determining Paul’s next opponent?
It’s a very unique set of circumstances. We’re at a point in the sport of boxing where there is definitely a transition from the old guard to the new guard. Whether it’s Tyson Fury and [Oleksandr] Usyk, who are fighting in a couple of weeks, whether it’s Anthony Joshua or whether it’s Canelo [Álvarez] — any big name in the sport you can think of, they’re all getting to a point where their prime may be fading. When you look at the next generation, there’s really three names in the U.S. from my perspective. One, by a longshot, being Jake, that no one comes close to. And then there’s two other guys who’ve called out Jake — [Gervonta] “Tank” Davis and Ryan Garcia.
Jake’s never been in a more fortunate position in terms of demand, and when I say demand I mean in terms of distribution partners that want to work with him and MVP and also in terms of fighters that want to share the ring with him because they understand the kind of box office and attention that he drives.
Jake has two paths that he’s focused on. The most important path to him is to become a world champion. … He’s going to continue on the path to grow as a boxer, increasing the level of competition to then get to the point where he can challenge for a championship. And then he’s also going to look to do these disruptive, big events which … are still gonna be very competitive. Very, very competitive.
Is there any particular opponent that might pique his interest over the other possibilities?
I think we’re just evaluating. Part of when you have so much success is, you know, the biggest names are calling him out, but everyone has an expectation that is I’m gonna make tens of millions of dollars to fight Jake Paul. And we pay people very well and we want to be in a business that is profitable for all parties, but we’re not gonna do things that don’t make economic sense. So part of the process is understanding what opponents are realistic.
Is there a timetable in mind for Jake’s next fight?
We’re holding dates in different cities starting in mid-April all the way through mid-July, so giving ourselves the flexibility to have him return anywhere from April to July.
Were you expecting the Tyson fight to generate as much interest as it did?
I think what surprised us was how the entire world was interacting with this event. Seventy-eight countries on Netflix, it’s the No. 1 piece of content. There’s no piece of content like that that exists. It just doesn’t happen. ‘Cause even the World Cup final, there’s two countries that are highly engaged and there’s a lot of countries that don’t care. The Olympics on any given day there’s different competitions and different teams and different rounds that pique and don’t pique interest. So we had something that — you know, Super Bowl, unbelievable viewership, but highly concentrated.
It was the first time — I heard this from multiple journalists — where journalists’ mothers, women who were in their 50s, 60s, 70s, were talking to the journalists’ children about a fight. That just doesn’t happen. So that was a very special combination when you connected to different audiences of these two guys and what it meant.
Did any of this even seem possible just a few years ago?
When we started MVP in August of 2021, we certainly had a vision of doing big, disruptive things. And if you look at Jake’s events, no matter how you slice ‘em, if you look at pure global interest, pure social media, they’re the biggest events outside of the Super Bowl. The amount of people who want to view and see what he’s up to is pretty phenomenal. And we do that with the right match making and bringing different audiences together. But did we think that we could within three years partner with the biggest media platform in the world and effectively break the internet? No.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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