It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.
Not one to shy away from the spotlight, Jake Paul has claimed he will defeat Canelo Alvarez within the next three years.
The YouTube star has never been lacking in confidence, but this is the first time he’s taken aim at the pound-for-pound greatest boxer alive.
Many believe Jake Paul and his brother Logan have had an easy ride to the top of pay-per-view cards, surpassing countless fighters who have spent their entire lives honing their craft.
Others have also pointed out that, of the three professional boxing fights Jake Paul has had so far, not one has pitted him against an actual boxer.
He has made swift work of fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and the UFC’s Ben Askren.
However, facing off against Tyron Woodley will be the first time Paul has come up against someone with a sound striking pedigree. Even then, Woodley is a mixed martial artist, not a boxer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRSHKYFLFI7/
Speaking at a press conference ahead of his August 29th fight with Woodley, Paul wasted no time in hitting back at the critics.
He said: “I am the most impactful 3-0 boxer in history. No fighter has ever accomplished what I’ve accomplished after three fights. People say I don’t deserve it but I’m earning more than any fighter, three fights in.”
Paul added he “hasn’t been hit in the face in three fights”, a fact “unheard of for a professional boxer”.
While an impressive statistic alongside his 3-0 record, it is worth remembering that Paul has only faced opponents for whom hitting others in the face is not a speciality.
His most experienced opponent so far, Ben Askren, spent years competing in the UFC, but specialises in grappling and wrestling technique. Not once did Askren ever gain plaudits for his striking ability.
Woodley is likely to pose the biggest threat to the 24-year-old’s face yet, but Paul has set his sights even higher: towards the pound-for-pound king, Canelo Alvarez.
“I want to add experience,” Paul said.
“I want to go after Canelo in three years. I want to be a world champion.”
Perhaps a more realistic prospect for Paul is a potential clash with Conor McGregor.
McGregor suffered a broken ankle in his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, but has previously fought Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition boxing match.
Paul threatened to “knock the fake teeth” out of McGregor’s mouth, having already taunted the Irishman on social media.
mystic mac pic.twitter.com/0WILgFucaP
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 11, 2021
You can’t help but think Jake Paul’s chickens are going to come home to roost very, very soon.
As Eddie Hearn previously told JOE, sooner or later, Jake Paul is probably going to be put to sleep.
Whether this happens inside or outside the ring remains to be seen.
