Friday night plays host to the controversial clash of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, where the YouTuber-turned-boxer seeks to leave his mark on the professional record of a living legend of the sport. Should Paul be successful in his attempts, ‘The Problem Child’ has a plan for a bizarre call-out in his post-fight interview.
Polarising social media star Jake Paul has amassed a record of 10-1 since switching to the fight game in 2020 and has scored wins over former UFC superstars Ben Askren, Tyson Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz during that time.
However, when tasked with a recognised professional boxer for the first time, Paul was handed a first career defeat as he was trumped by Britian’s Tommy Fury – cousin of former heavyweight champion, Tyson.
Yet, Paul had banked consecutive first-round knockout wins against Andre August and Ryan Bourland during the build-up to his July fight date with Mike Tyson, both of which had superior boxing experience to Paul.
JAKE PAUL KO’S ANDRE AUGUST IN THE FIRST ROUND ?
(via @DAZNBoxing) pic.twitter.com/zwaJxxgQ4k
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2023
Although, Mike Tyson was then forced to withdraw from their July encounter as stomach ulcers hampered his training regime, with his 27-year-old dance partner proceeding to knock out Mike Perry on that date instead.
Some fans had hoped that Tyson’s health concerns would lead to the cancellation of his comeback but the once ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ is going ahead with the scrap and is set to end a near 20-year spell of inactivity for the lucrative showdown – in a slightly adapted professional contest against an opponent who is more than 30 years his junior.
Speaking on ‘The Timbo SugaShow’, Jake Paul revealed that he plans to call out unified super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for a match-up for the cruiserweight world title – where all four belts are currently held by different opponents.
Jake Paul said he’s calling out Canelo Alvarez in the ring if he beats Mike Tyson on Friday ? pic.twitter.com/gXbDUkTSgp
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 11, 2024
“I do [have a plan to call someone out] – it is Canelo. This moment [against Tyson] will prove that I am the face of boxing, the largest attraction.
“Me vs. Canelo at 200lbs for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight, arguably even bigger than me versus Tyson and it makes so much sense.
“Canelo is on his way out, he is going to want a pay-day and I want to show the world that all of the s**t that I have been talking about beating Canelo is actually true.
“I will have the biggest upset in the sport of boxing.”
“We will fight to see who really is ‘the face’ because after this event [against Tyson] I am going to be claiming it.”
At present, Jai Opetaia holds the IBF cruiserweight title and Noel Mikaelian is in possession for the WBC strap, whilst Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (WBA) and Chris Billam-Smith (WBO) meet on Saturday night in a unification bout.
As for Paul-Tyson, the event will take place on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a full preview of the card available here.
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