Influencers

JAKE PAUL has been called out by Viddal Riley for “one of the biggest fights in boxing history”. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter improved to 8-1 by knocking out Andre August, the first professional boxer he has beaten.
Jake Paul opened the door to fighting Viddal RileyCredit: Most Valuable Promotions/Esther Lin

Viddal Riley is also open to fighting Jake PaulCredit: PA
And afterwards, he opened the door to facing unbeaten English cruiserweight champion Riley in the future.
The British star – who formerly coached Paul’s arch rival KSI – was quick to respond and talked up the potential bout.
Riley said: “If that’s his aspirations, mine are the same and we both weigh 200lb, then yeah it’s inevitable that fight could happen down the line.
“Say I’m world champion, this guy is ranked in the top 15 in the world with said governing body, I would happily, voluntarily defend the title against him, why wouldn’t I?
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“I think it would be one of the biggest fights probably, in boxing history with the amount of back story, the amount of build-up.
“It’d be crazy. Everyone would tune in for that.” 
Riley, 26, added that he does not see it happening in 2024 but leaves the door open to the fight in the near future.
Paul, also 26, suffered defeat for the first time in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
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But he has bounced back with two wins since, on points against ex-UFC contender Nate Diaz, 38, and a knockout of August, 35.
Paul talked down the chances of KSI, 30, accepting a fight against him but would welcome a showdown against his first coach Riley.
He said: “For sure that can happen, that would be interesting and he has a name, a profile and that’s something that excites me for sure.
“As I go down this path I’m going to continue to challenge myself and grow and grow and grow and some of those names start popping into the equation.”
Paul took the fight with little-known August – who had a 10-1-1 record – as he looks to one day challenge for a world championship.
He said: “I’m focused on being the best in the world and creating one of the greatest sports stories in the history of sports: being able to become a world champion from Disney Channel.”
Jake Paul knocked out Andre AugustCredit: Most Valuable Promotions/Esther Lin More

JAKE PAUL revealed he spent an hour on the phone negotiating a rematch with Tommy Fury but fears his rival is already making “excuses”. The celebrity boxing pair finally ended two years of feuding in February with Fury emerging a split-decision winner.
Jake Paul revealed talks to rematch Tommy Fury
Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
But Paul has bounced back with two wins since, on points against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and a knockout of boxer Andre August, 36.
And he revealed after his uppercut KO of August that talks with Fury are back underway – but money could prove an obstacle.
Paul, 26, said on his podcast: “We had calls with him, had an hour long call with him and the whole entire thing was just kind of this thing, ‘Oh, more money, more money, more money.’
“When he’s not getting more money by fighting anybody else and we have an amazing offer out there for him and it’s kind of just these excuses after excuses.
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“Obviously Tommy already beat me, so people will be like, ‘Oh, he already beat you so why wouldn’t he do it again?’
“But he sees my skillset advancing, knows he had me at my worst. Two to make it true. I’m here, I’m ready.”
Fury, 24, went on to beat Paul’s arch rival KSI, 30, in his next bout.
And the build-up proved to also be a bitter one, with KSI even spitting on Fury’s dad and coach John.
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It leaves John – in charge of his son’s career – refusing to entertain a rematch with KSI.
He told SecondsOut, via Freebets: “If Jake Paul wants to box Tommy next that wouldn’t be a problem.
“If anybody out there wants to box Tommy that’s carrying weight, let’s talk.
“The only man that’s not welcome at the table is not a man, is him. What do you call him? KSI. He is not welcome, not now, not ever. He is done.
“We don’t want to do business with a spitter. Too much bad blood, he’s an ignorant man and there’s no more business, not even for $1trillion with him.”
Tommy Fury also beat KSI on pointsCredit: Getty More

JOHN FURY has given his blessing for son Tommy to rematch Jake Paul – but not even $1TRILLION could convince him to fight KSI again. Tommy leaves 2023 after beating YouTube’s two biggest boxing stars, firstly edging past Paul on a split-decision in Saudi Arabia in February.
John Fury with his son TommyCredit: Rex
KSI was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: Splash
And he followed it up with a controversial points win over KSI in October following a bitter build up.
KSI spat at his dad John during an open workout which leaves Tommy’s dad ruling out a rematch between the two.
He told SecondsOut, via Freebets: “If Jake Paul wants to box Tommy next that wouldn’t be a problem.
“If anybody out there wants to box Tommy that’s carrying weight, let’s talk.
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“The only man that’s not welcome at the table is not a man, is him. What do you call him? KSI. He is not welcome, not now, not ever. He is done.
“We don’t want to do business with a spitter. Too much bad blood, he’s an ignorant man and there’s no more business, not even for $1trillion with him.”
KSI, 30, lost the first stage of his appeal against Fury, 24, who still stands as a unanimous decision victor.
Meanwhile Paul, 26, has returned with two wins since his first boxing loss, beating ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and boxer Andre August, 35.
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And he revealed afterwards that talks to rematch Fury have taken place but he accused the ex-Love Islander of demanding too much money.
He said: “We had calls with him, had an hour long call with him and the whole entire thing was just kind of this thing, ‘Oh, more money, more money, more money.’
“When he’s not getting more money by fighting anybody else and we have an amazing offer out there for him and it’s kind of just these excuses after excuses.
“Obviously Tommy already beat me, so people will be like, ‘Oh, he already beat you so why wouldn’t he do it again?’
“But he sees my skillset advancing, knows he had me at my worst. Two to make it true. I’m here, I’m ready.”
Tommy Fury and Jake Paul have held talks for a rematchCredit: Reuters More

JAKE PAUL is already looking to line up his next fight after brutally knocking out Andre August. The YouTuber-turned boxer closed the show inside the first round with a massive right uppercut.
Jake Paul knocked out Andre August in the first roundCredit: Getty
And he was immediately probed on when his next fight could be.
To which Paul said: “We’ve got an announcement coming next week.”
So here, SunSport takes a look at who could be next for the self-proclaimed Problem Child.
Tommy Fury
Fury, 24, so far remains the only man to have beaten Paul, 26, thanks to his split-decision win in Saudi Arabia in February.
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And it sets the pair up perfectly for a rematch, something Paul has always insisted he will deliver.
He said before his fight with August: “It’s going to happen. I’m coming for you Tommy. I’m going to knock him out.”
Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
KSI
It’s the mother of all grudge matches in the YouTube boxing world but so far it has failed to materialise.
In the lead up to Paul’s win over August their opposing teams were going back and forth over terms for the grudge bout.
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So far it looks as though an agreed upon weight is holding up an agreement but there is still a score to be settled.
KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Viddal Riley
Riley, 26, shot to fame as the coach to KSI and AnEsonGib, who Paul knocked out in his pro debut.
But he is also a former amateur champion and current 10-0 English cruiserweight title holder.
And with Paul open to facing established boxers, when asked about Riley he said: “For sure that can happen, it would be interesting.”
Viddal Riley formerly trained KSICredit: Getty
Idris Virgo
Virgo – a former Love Islander – had 12 pro wins before he took the influencer boxing route with KSI’s Misfits Boxing.
His popularity also increased after becoming a training partner of KSI’s.
So if Paul wants to fight another boxer, who has a profile and connection to KSI, a good wildcard option would be Virgo, 30.
Idris Virgo is a training partner of KSI’sCredit: Getty
The 7-1 mystery man
August, 35, was not actually due to fight Paul and only filled in when their initial opponent suffered US visa issues.
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Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian said in October: “Unfortunately, the opponent, which was a 7-1 boxer, has not been able to obtain a visa to come to the US.”
With an announcement already planned, could the initial opponent be lined up for Paul’s next fight. More