JAKE PAUL has astonishingly been urged to challenge Oleksandr Usyk if he beats Tommy Fury.
Paul on Sunday in Saudi Arabia is finally set to fight Fury, who has twice pulled out before amid injury and US visa issues.
And it will be the YouTuber-turned prizefighter’s first opponent with a recognised professional boxing record.
The stakes have been raised even higher as the WBC announced the winner will receive a cruiserweight world ranking.
And Paul’s ex-sparring partner Anthony Taylor believes it could be enough to spike the current unified heavyweight champion’s interest in a move back down.
Taylor, 33, told SunSport: “Jake and his team will go back and discuss what the next plan is.
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“Once Jake does beat Tommy he will be ranked by the WBC. That puts you in contention for a possible belt.
“What would be a massive fight is Usyk, I wouldn’t mind seeing an Usyk versus Jake fight. That is massive money.
“At this point, it’s about money. I’d say Jake, go ahead and get your money, him against Usyk? Why not.”
Paul has beaten ex-MMA champions in Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47, in the past two years.
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And Fury, 23, poses a step up as the first time he will face a seasoned boxer in his 6-0 career.
But Taylor argues regardless of the experience disparity, or his chances of winning, a fight between Paul, 26, and Usyk, 36, would bring in dollars and ultimately sense.
He said: “It’s not about if he can handle it, it’s about getting your money. The fact he’s sharing the ring with the guy, he’s a soon-to-be legend. That says enough.
“Usyk isn’t stepping in the ring with just anybody. If it happens, I’d watch the fight, why not?
“It would be a massive, massive fight. They’re both big guys, similar in size and I am not saying, ‘Jake’s going to knock out Usyk.’
“I’m not saying that, I’m not even saying that Usyk would win, I’m just saying I would like to see that fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if Usyk called out Jake.
“We would all sit and watch the fight, I’m not saying who’s going to win, all I’m saying is I wouldn’t be shocked or surprised if Usyk came back to cruiserweight to fight Jake.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
