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      Evander Holyfield, 58, to make ring return after 10 years out as he replaces Covid-hit Oscar De La Hoya against Belfort

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      EVANDER HOLYFIELD is set to make a stunning return to the ring next weekend against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort.Boxing hall-of-famer Oscar De La Hoya was due to face Belfort in the main event of Triller’s latest Fight Club card before he contracted Covid.
      Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield will return to the ring next weekend
      The Real Deal will lock horns with former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor BelfortCredit: Getty
      Oscar De La Hoya was forced to pull out of his clash with Belfort after contracting Covid-19Credit: AFP
      And in a bid to save the card, the promotion has turned to former undisputed cruiserweight king Holyfield.
      Holyfield, 58, wasn’t cleared to compete by the California State Athletic Commission.
      And the CSAC’s refusal to license The Real Deal has led to the entire event being moved to Florida.
      It’s understood Holyfield was not denied a license due to his age but because of the commission’s lack of time to appropriately assess the former heavyweight champion.
      Holyfield’s clash with Belfort will be his first outing in over ten years, the last of which saw him register a tenth-round TKO victory over former IBO heavyweight champ Brian Nielsen.
      The 1984 Olympian has, however, been training to return to the ring for the last 16 months.

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      Holyfield was due to face Kevin McBride on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez’s eagerly-anticipated clash with George Kambosos Jr.
      But the card was scrapped after unified lightweight champion Lopez tested positive for Covid.
      A gutted De La Hoya announced his withdrawal from his clash with Belfort on Twitter on Friday, writing: “Wanted you to hear directly from me that despite being fully vaccinated, I have contracted Covid and am not going to be able to fight next weekend.
      “Preparing for this comeback has been everything to me over the last months.
      “And I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support.
      “I am currently in the hospital getting treatment and am confident I will be back in the ring before the year is up.
      De La Hoya spoke from his hospital bed

      “God bless everyone and stay safe.”
      In a video from his hospital bed, The Golden Boy said: “What are the chances of me getting COVID?
      “I’ve been taking care of myself and this really, really kicked my **s.”

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      Evander Holyfield gets hands wrapped before training as 57-year-old boxing legend prepares for stunning ring return More

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      Tommy Fury earns just £11,000 for beating Anthony Taylor – less than what he and Molly-Mae charge for an INSTAGRAM post

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      TOMMY FURY earned a meagre £11,000 for his victory over MMA fighter Anthony Taylor – nearly HALF of what he banks for sponsored Instagram posts.The Love Islander cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Taylor in his American debut early on Monday morning.
      Tommy Fury made his American debut against Anthony Taylor on MondayCredit: Getty
      But TNT only bagged £11,000 for his clash with Pretty BoyCredit: Getty
      But the former Love Islander earns more than his last fight purse for each of his sponsored Instagram postsCredit: instagram
      But the former reality TV star wasn’t paid handsomely for his victory over Pretty Boy, banking a paltry guaranteed purse of £11,000 for his troubles.
      TNT’s purse, which was released by the Ohio State Athletic Commission on Tuesday, stunned his followers.
      The 22-year-old’s latest payday pales in comparison to what he and long-time girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague are paid for sponsored Instagram posts.
      According to ManySpins.com, the pair bank a whopping £20,000 each time they advertise a company’s product or services on their social media pages.
      That’s a far easier payday than having to dodge punches from an MMA fighter for a measly £11,000.
      Despite making light work of Taylor, Fury was actually paid LESS than the former BAMMA star.

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      Paul vs Woodley purses
      Jake Paul: £1,453,610 ($2M)Tyron Woodley: £1,453,610 ($2M)
      Amanda Serrano: £55,000 ($75k)Yamileth Mercado: £24,700 ($34k)
      Daniel Dubois: £72,700 ($100k)Joe Cusamano: £80,000 ($111k)
      Montana Love: £43,600 ($60k)Ivan Baranchyk: £43,600 ($60k)
      Tommy Fury: £10,900 ($15k)Anthony Taylor: £29,060 ($40k)
      Charles Conwell: £58,130 ($80k)Juan Rubio: £14,530 ($20k)

      It’s unknown if Fury’s final purse will be topped by his potential cut of pay-per-view points.
      Fury has set his sights on a showdown with YouTube star Jake Paul, saying in his post-fight interview: “Jake Paul should have an easy night on that night.
      “So he’s got no excuse for not taking the fight.
      “Let’s get it on Jake Paul. I’ve done my bit, you do your bit. It should be easy enough for him, like I said.
      “I went four rounds with his sparring partner. Jump in the ring it’s should be no test at all.”

      He added: “Looking at that, Jake Paul, you should have an easy night mate, shouldn’t you?
      “There’s no excuses now. You’ve seen everybody, I’ve had the biggest cheer in the place.
      “There’s no excuses, no running, no hiding. I want you next, you bum. Let’s get it on.”

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      Tommy Fury reveals he’s going to ‘get fat’ in LA for a week after boxing win as girlfriend Molly-Mae pines for him More

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      Katie Taylor out to get childhood idol Roy Keane back into with boxing after Man Utd legend’s Joshua vs Fury frustration

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      KATIE TAYLOR wants to reignite her hero Roy Keane’s passion for boxing.Manchester United legend Keane, 50, famed for his combative playing style on the football pitch, says his favourite childhood sport was being ruined by Brit stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua failing to fight each other.
      Roy Keane was always ready for a fight when he patrolled Manchester United’s midfield
      Keane recently told former Man Utd team-mate Gary Neville he used to box as a boy
      In an interview with former United team-mate Gary Neville on Neville’s YouTube channel The Overlap, Keane revealed he had “three or four amateur” boxing fights before finding fame as a professional footballer.
      The former Republic of Ireland skipper also admitted he finds the current heavyweight division “irritating” because the sport’s politics have repeatedly prevented the clashes fans want to see, like Fury versus AJ.
      Undisputed lightweight queen Taylor offers no such disappointment, as she is targeting Puerto Rico’s seven-weight champ Amanda Serrano and America’s undisputed welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill ASAP.
      Taylor, undefeated in 18 pro bouts, will defend her undisputed lightweight crown against Jennifer Han on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s rematch against Mauricio Lara at Headingley Stadium on Saturday.
      And the Irish star, 35, a Leeds United fan, hopes her own unwavering commitment to boxing might help Keane have a change of heart.
      She said: “My favourite player growing up was Roy Keane, so I’m not sure how that will go down with the Leeds fans!

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      “Seriously, though, as a Leeds fan I loved the likes of Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith. I liked the rough players, that’s why I was always drawn to Roy Keane as well.
      “He’s my favourite sportsperson of all time. He was a hero of mine growing up.
      “I saw what he said to Gary Neville and I hope I’m not that kind of boxer to him.
      “I always want to be involved in big fights, I always take the big challenges, I take the necessary risks. I want to lay it all on the line every time I step in the ring.”
      Taylor took the opposite direction to Keane in her sporting journey as she was an excellent footballer who earned 11 senior Republic of Ireland caps and scored two goals before focusing only on boxing.
      She has also always been teetotal, again unlike Keane who admitted in his interview with Neville that growing up in Ireland and playing in his era meant hard drinking at the start of his career also eventually shortened it.
      County Wicklow-born Taylor became a Leeds fan after enjoying wild Elland Road visitors with her dad, around the halcyon days at the start of the 2000s when they reached the Champions League semi-finals.
      The quiet schoolgirl loved the rowdy working-class Yorkshire atmosphere and the ‘Dirty Leeds’ reputation.
      Taylor said: “We were coming over to visit my dad’s family and we always went to a Leeds United game. It was so special.
      “Every Christmas I got a Leeds United jersey and a pair of football boots – that was part of growing up for me.
      “They’re definitely a very, very loud and passionate crowd. A very rough crowd as well but I like that.
      “They were some of my best memories growing up going to Leeds United games in Elland Road. I went a couple of times, I loved being involved in that passionate crowd.”
      And Taylor hopes the 20,000 fans crammed into the home of rugby league side Leeds Rhinos on Saturday can recreate a similar buzz to intimidate her opponent.
      She said: “This is going to be new territory for her. She hasn’t been involved in a big event like this but she’s a world champion as well.
      “I’m expecting the best performance from her. I think all my opponents raise their game when they step into the ring against me.”
      Katie Taylor will fight on the Josh Warrington’s undercard in Headingley on Saturday night More

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      Dillian Whyte rival Franklin claims he has signed for fight and eyes Anthony Joshua clash after he puts ‘joke’ to sleep

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      AMERICAN heavyweight Jermaine Franklin has revealed he has signed a fight agreement to take on Briton Dillian Whyte.Whyte, 33, is desperately chasing a world title shot after beating Alexander Povetkin in their rematch back in March.
      Franklin (left) has vowed to knock out British heavyweight WhyteCredit: Getty
      Whyte has only lost two of his 30 professional fightsCredit: Mark Robinson
      But The Body Snatcher wants to stay busy while he waits for unified champion Anthony Joshua to fight Oleksandr Usyk and WBC champ Tyson Fury to take on Deontay Wilder.
      He is set to return to the ring on October 30 and Franklin – who has been talked about as a possible opponent for Whyte – has already begun the trash talk.
      He told MyBettingSites: “Well I’ve signed the bout agreement on my end. I’m ready. It’s time for a United States fighter to show the world that we still have the best fighters on the planet.
      “Plus Dillian Whyte is a joke. He talks a good game but he needs to fight someone that is hungry, faster and younger than him. ‘Betty’ Whyte is scared of me and he should be.
      “I hope he will sign his end, but he is acting like a spoiled, has-been fighter. In fact, I’ve got a crayon for him to sign with. He probably needs a crayon so I will bring extras just in case he breaks one.
      “If I’m a bum, like he said I am, then prove it. Everyone keeps thinking I’m a step-over fighter and they don’t realise that I’m ready to show the world that the United States have the best heavyweights and I am the best in that category.

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      “I just want the chance to show it to the world and shut up the haters. I think Dillian is worried and scared about fighting me because he knows I’m not a bum. Plus I’m a good fighter. I’m no pushover.
      “I have fought some good fighters to get to this point. In boxing you learn from every win and loss. I plan on learning from my wins for a long time.
      “I will show him the best of Jermaine Franklin. The world hasn’t seen that just yet. I will use my jab a lot more than before and focus on the body. I’m going to bring a pillow for him so when he hits the canvas he can go right to sleep.”
      Whyte’s only pro defeats have come against Joshua in 2015 and Povetkin last year.
      Meanwhile, Franklin holds a perfect record of 20-0 but has not faced anyone close to the calibre of Whyte.
      But that hasn’t stopped him from exuding confidence ahead of a potential clash.

      And he is keen to step up and face Joshua for the belts if he is successful against Whyte.
      He added: “After I beat Dillian, I would then be ready to fight Joshua. He has a lot of weaknesses and Andy Ruiz showed them for all to see.
      “Plus, like any fighter all it takes is one punch. Remember the boxing world hasn’t seen my best yet.”
      Watch as Josh Warrington and Mauricio Lara are separated by security at fiery weigh-in after Brit is shoved More

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      Mike Tyson disagrees with Floyd Mayweather over Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley and insists YouTuber is worthy winner

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      MIKE TYSON has rubbished Floyd Mayweather’s claim that Tyron Woodley beat Jake Paul in their fight last weekend.Paul, 24, defeated 39-year-old Woodley by split decision at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
      Paul edged out Woodley in their highly-anticipated clashCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Tyson has revealed he is a fan of controversial YouTube star PaulCredit: Splash
      And Tyson believes the YouTube sensation – who moved to 4-0 as a professional following the victory – deserved to have his hand raised.
      Speaking to TMZ, he said: “Jake Paul won. I love Jake Paul. Tyron Woodley did his best.”
      It comes after Woodley claimed Mayweather – who trained the MMA man in the lead-up to the clash – told him he won the fight.
      The former UFC champion said: “He [Mayweather] did feel like I won the fight.
      “He said, ‘You know, I told you that he [Jake Paul] was going to be kind of scared of you. You’ve been there before’.
      “He said, ‘He ain’t been hit with no s**t yet. We’re gonna see how he responds’.

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      Mayweather felt Woodley did enough to win the fightCredit: Getty
      “He said, ‘You’ve been hit with four-ounce gloves, and you can take it. Let’s see how he deals with that’.”
      Woodley began campaigning for a rematch seconds after the result of his professional boxing debut was read out.
      But Paul also has some other potential opponents including Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy, who won his bout on the undercard of the main event.
      Tommy, who is 7-0, called on Paul to take the fight after he beat American Anthony Taylor by unanimous decision.

      Jake Paul’s boxing ‘hit-list’
      He said: “Looking at that, Jake Paul, you should have an easy night mate, shouldn’t you?
      “There’s no excuses now. You’ve seen everybody, I’ve had the biggest cheer in the place.
      “There’s no excuses, no running, no hiding. I want you next, you bum. Let’s get it on.”
      Tyron Woodley reveals Floyd Mayweather told him he thought he beat ‘scared’ Jake Paul but said he needed ‘more output’ More

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      Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya claims he was raped at 13 by a ‘woman over the age of 35’ in Hawaii

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      BOXING legend Oscar De La Hoya has claimed he was raped by an ‘older woman’ at the age of 13.The Golden Boy will return to the ring a week on Saturday against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in Los Angeles.
      Oscar De La Hoya has claimed he was raped by an ‘older woman’ at the age of 13Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      De La Hoya claims the rape took place during a tournament in HawaiiCredit: Reuters
      Ahead of his return, six-weight world champion De La Hoya has opened up on his with his battle with substance abuse following his retirement.
      And in a frank interview with the Los Angeles Times, he shared a traumatic childhood experience.
      He said: “I was raped at 13, from a woman, an older woman.
      “Thirteen, lost my virginity over being, you know, being raped, basically.
      “I was in Hawaii, I think, at some tournament. She was over 35.”
      De La Hoya, 48, pushed the horrendous ordeal to the back of his mind as he embarked on what would become a hall-of-fame career.

      But he never took the time to mentally process the alleged sexual assault.
      The Olympic gold medallist added: “You suppress everything.
      “You’re living this life, the Golden Boy, but, oh s**t, wait, that’s still there.
      “Like I never, like, thought about it, I never processed it, I never really thought how my feelings are… until one day it just comes out, and you don’t know how to deal with it.”
      De La Hoya opted to make a change to his life last year after years of wrestling with drug and alcohol addiction.
      He said: “I couldn’t be drinking and doing drugs and this and that. I’m going to throw my life away, you know?”
      I was raped at 13, from a woman, an older woman.Oscar De La Hoya
      De La Hoya hasn’t set foot inside the ring since being dismantled by Manny Pacquiao in their Las Vegas showdown in 2009.
      Five months later, he brought the curtain down on his legendary career – a decision he still regrets to this day.
      He said: “The next day, deep down inside, it’s like, why did I do that?
      “You try to convince yourself that life is going to get better after you retire.
      “Jesus, you’ve been waiting for this moment all your life.
      “And once you’re retired, once you’re not doing what you love, there’s a big hole.”
      Lacing up the gloves again is something De La Hoya is relishing after 12 years of inactivity.
      And he’s anticipating his clash with Belfort to be an all-out war.

      The Golden Boy will face former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort on September 11Credit: The Mega Agency
      The Olympian said: “This fight is f*****g crazy important. It’s what makes or breaks me.
      “If I have Belfort right in front of me, I’ll tell him thank you for the opportunity and I know we are going to f——- beat the s**t out of each other. It’s basically it.
      “It’s going to be fun. Don’t forget that. I love fighting. Belfort is a freaking legend.
      “The fact that he’s a big guy is a big challenge. It’s what gets me going. Let’s go!
      “Everybody who knows me knows that when I fight, I give it my all. When I train, I train like a mad man.
      “I was tired of all these exhibitions. When you’re up there, you’re up there to go to war.
      De La Hoya is champing at the bit to get back inside the ring after 12 year outCredit: Getty
      “That’s what I expect to do. I know he’s a big motherf****r I’ll tell you one thing, I’m doing this for the right reasons. Mentally and physically, it’s the old time.
      “I’m in the zone right now. I know we are going to get into a f*****g war.
      “It’s fine. It’s good. I love that. That’s my life. But I can’t wait. I respect him. I love him.”
      Oscar De La Hoya targets UFC legend Anderson Silva in his second comeback fight More

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      Boxer, 18, dies with husband by her side days after being knocked out cold as rival posts emotional message

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      MEXICAN boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata has tragically passed away aged 18.Zapata was knocked out in the fourth round of her GYM Gala International Boxing bout against Canadian boxer Marie-Pier Houle on Saturday night.
      Jeannette Zacarias Zapata has tragically passed away aged 18
      The Mexican was knocked out in the sixth round of her clash with Marie-Pier HouleCredit: GYM GALA
      Zapata began convulsing moments later and was promptly taken to hospital.
      Doctors placed the boxer into a medically-induced coma, although she eventually passed away with her husband by her side.
      The event’s promoter, Groupe Yvon Michel, announced the passing of Zapata on Thursday.
      A statement read: “It is with great sadness and torment that we learned from a representative of her family that Jeannette Zacarias Zapata passed away this afternoon at 3:45pm.
      “The entire team at Groupe Yvon Michel team is extremely distressed by this painful announcement.
      “We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, friends and especially her husband, Jovianni Martinez, who was at her bedside until her last moments.

      “Jovianni is devastated and extremely upset.
      “Under the circumstances, he does not wish to comment, therefore we ask that you respect his decision and allow the family to have their privacy.
      “In this painful period, you will understand Groupe Yvon Michel does not intend to comment further.”
      A devastated Houle paid tribute to her late opponent following the announcement, writing on social media: “I extend my deepest condolences to her family and spouse Jovanni Martinez.
      “Thank you for respecting my desire not to comment more.
      “The sad news of the departure of a great athlete like Jeanette Zacarias Zapata leaves me sad and devastated.
      “I offer my sincere and deep condolences to her family and husband Jovanni Martinez.
      “May God enlighten your soul and receive it in his glory.”
      The sad news of the departure of a great athlete like Jeanette Zacarias Zapata leaves me sad and devastated. Marie-Pier Houle
      The World Boxing Council also followed suit after learning of Zapata’s death.
      “A statement read: “The president of the WBC, Mauricio Sulaimán and the entire boxing family affiliated with the WBC, as well as all boxing, mourns this irreparable loss.
      “We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeanette. May she rest in peace.”
      Prior to Zapata’s passing, a distraught Houle took to social media to wish her opponent a speedy recovery.
      She wrote: “Never, ever, is the intention of seriously injuring an opponent in my plans.
      “My sincere thoughts go to my opponent, Jeannette Zacarias Zapata, as well as to her family.
      “I wish with all my heart that she will recover.”
      Zapata’s clash with Houle, which took place at the IGA Stadium in Montreal, was her sixth as a professional boxer.
      La Chiquitaboom had lost three of her previous five fights, the last of which was a knockout defeat to Cynthia Lozano in May.
      Tyron Woodley reveals Floyd Mayweather told him he thought he beat ‘scared’ Jake Paul but said he needed ‘more output’ More

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      Hearn recalls looking like ‘a f***ing tosser’ at AJ’s loss to Ruiz and thinks it’s helped him prepare Warrington return

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      EDDIE HEARN was perfectly prepared for Josh Warrington’s crucial comeback after looking like a prize penguin for Anthony Joshua’s shock first loss.The Matchroom boss chose AJ’s American debut against Andy Ruiz in June 2019 to wear a tuxedo to a fight for the first time and felt the fashion faux pas backfire.
      Eddie Hearn said he felt like a ‘f***ing tosser’ for wearing a tuxedo for Anthony Joshua’s loss to Andy RuizCredit: Getty
      It was the first time Hearn had done it and AJ lost to Ruiz Jr in one of the biggest shocks everCredit: AP
      But the Matchroom promoter said it helped him prepare for Josh Warrington’s loss to Mauricio LaraCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
      The long-way back that Watford’s heavyweight king took has helped Hearn and Warrington cope with the crushing blow suffered against Mauricio Lara in February and plan the rebuild.
      Warrington, 30, has already praised a video call with Joshua during his darkest hour for helping him out of the pits of despair.
      And, ahead of Saturday’s rematch in front of 20,000 Headingley fans, Hearn revealed how he learned to roll with the punches.
      Hearn recalled: “After selling old Madison Square Garden with AJ, that night I decided to wear a bow-tie and dinner suit.
      “I had never ever done that before for a fight but, I thought, for AJ at a sold-out MSG I should. And I look back at pictures now and think ‘what a f****** tosser!’
      “I walked the whole way home to New York’s Soho after the fight, about 3am I was bumping into British fans who wanted photos and answers and I just wanted to be left alone.

      “But dealing with nights like that helped me learn how to handle night’s like Josh Warrington’s loss.
      “Josh’s was harrowing because no-one was there and we heard everything. MSG was berserk so we didn’t hear it.
      “But the lows hopefully lead back to huge highs and when Josh wins on Saturday we can hopefully look back at the last few months and just say ‘what a ride’.”
      Hearn reached out to AJ after Warrington’s violent loss at an empty and silent Wembley arena and put the two fallen soldiers in touch to share war stories.
      The Leeds icon says the chat dragged him back on the road to redemption and Hearn believes it helped continue AJ’s learning process and that he will reach out again before the first bell.
      Hearn said: “Josh asked if AJ would have a chat because he was struggling.
      “But AJ struggled after the Ruiz loss and this felt even bigger because it was a horrible defeat in a silent and empty arena.

      “I had never asked AJ to do anything like that before but within an hour of swapping numbers AJ called him. I called to thank AJ but I think he enjoyed it.
      “Both of their nights went wrong, after problems for both in their build-ups. But both took immediate rematches and got the wins.
      “I am sure AJ will message him before the fight because you have to talk about these things.”

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      Tyron Woodley reveals Floyd Mayweather told him he thought he beat ‘scared’ Jake Paul but said he needed ‘more output’ More