MMA

JAKE PAUL’S coach talked down Tommy Fury’s punch power – and laughed off claims of breaking jaws in the boxing gym. BJ Flores will be in Paul’s corner for the celebrity grudge match in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Tommy FuryCredit: AFP
Paul’s coach has laughed off talk of Fury’s punching powerCredit: AFP
His opposite number – Fury’s dad John – claimed his son was knocking out sparring partners and hospitalising them with snapped jaws.
But Flores – an ex-cruiserweight world title challenger – insisted talk is cheap.
He told SunSport in Riyadh: “Tommy’s going to come out and jab. Shoot his punches down the middle and try to use his jab to keep Jake off him. 
“But I don’t care what he says in the media or the press about, ‘I’m coming to knock Jake out,’ or breaking sparring partners’ jaws. 
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“He’s just not a puncher, I don’t care what he says. He’s going to come out, try and do what he’s always done and that’s try and box. 
“But once he gets hits, he’s gonna go back to moving, backing up, backing up and he’s going to have to find a way to keep Jake off him.” 
Fury, 23, is also joined by his heavyweight champion brother Tyson, 34, in the Middle East.
But Flores warned the support counts for nothing once the first bell rings.
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He said: “Tommy’s got good hand speed, he’s in good shape, he comes from a fighting bloodline. 
“Look, the Fury name is legit. Tyson’s the best heavyweight in the world, he’s a great, great fighter but unfortunately for Tommy, they’re not the same. 
“Tyson can’t fight for Tommy, John can’t fight for Tommy, so Tommy has to go in there and fight Jake all by himself and he’s in trouble. 
“He’s going to see first-hand on Sunday that this ‘YouTube boxer’ is no joke.”  
Fury has twice pulled out of fighting Paul before, firstly in December 2021 due to injury and then last August following US visa issues.
YouTuber-turned boxer Paul is now 6-0, after adding two wins over ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley and victory against Anderson Silva.

🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
Flores added that the introduction of his old trainer Danny Smith has accelerated Paul’s skills to new heights.
He said: “Jake’s really, really stepped it up. Big credit to Danny Smith coming into camp. 
“Danny was my trainer when I was a professional boxer, one of the best boxing minds that I know. 
“We brought him into camp last October, about a year and a half ago, and Jake’s come on leaps and bounds. 
“He’s improving at such a fast rate, he’s got so much better over the last year and a half, it’s incredible. 
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“Tommy should have fought him in 2021, before we fought Tyron the second time. 
“But the fight is here now and people are gonna see on Sunday. It’s gonna be a big surprise for some people.” 
Don’t miss the True Test on Sunday as Jake Paul takes on Tommy Fury, exclusively on talkSPORT for FREE. Download the app.
BJ Flores pictured with Jake PaulCredit: @bjflorespro
Jake Paul with boxing trainer Danny SmithCredit: @jakepaul More

BOXER Hasim Rahman Jr has backed KSI to beat Jake Paul as their bitter grudge match edges closer. The pair of arch enemies are in talks to finally settle their score in the ring, with talks of a December blockbuster in the UK. 
KSI pictured with Hasim Rahman JrCredit: @hasimrahmanjr

Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr sparred beforeCredit: https://twitter.com/_HasimRahmanJr/status/1314032111276290049
Rahman sparred Paul before the American’s second professional fight, which turned out to be a brutal KO of ex-NBA star Nate Robinson. 
But two years later, they actually signed to fight each only for the bout to be cancelled with a week to go amid a row over the weight. 
Rahman would go on to sign for KSI’s Misfits Boxing banner, while striking up a training partnership and friendship with the British celebrity. 
And having witnessed first-hand KSI’s famed work ethic, the American believes Paul will be no match. 
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Rahman told SunSport: “I think that JJ outworks Jake and drowns him. 
“I think that the deep waters that JJ would take Jake to, he just hasn’t been to before. 
“Jake’s workrate, even in his last fight, is nowhere near what it needs to be for JJ. 
“JJ is an incredible machine, that boy doesn’t stop and he’s only getting better.
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“I sparred Jake before he fought AnEsonGib and I’ve been watching his career up till the Anderson Silva fight. 
“I’ve been watching JJ since he fought Logan the first time and he took some time off and came back but the rate of improvement from JJ is much better than Jake’s. 
“That’s just my honest opinion.” 
Paul has now given Tommy Fury, 23, THREE chances to fight him, following two prior pullouts, amid injury and US visa issues. 
The second of which was when Rahman signed as a replacement for a 200lb cruiserweight fight. 
But the New York State Athletic Commission later changed it to 205lb, although still the two teams clashed, resulting in a fight collapse. 
Rahman still held a weigh in the day before the planned bout and came in slightly over the catchweight at 206.6lb. 
Like I told people from the beginning, Jake Paul doesn’t really want to fight me. He never wanted to fight me. Hasim Rahman Jr
But would refuse to reschedule – unlike with Fury – and chose to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, instead winning in October. 
Rahman said: “Like I told people from the beginning, Jake Paul doesn’t really want to fight me. He never wanted to fight me. 
“The world saw him weight 206.6lb – and that was in three weeks – imagine if he gave me the time to prepare like he’s given to Tommy or Anderson Silva. 
“He definitely had the opportunity to do that, even after our fight fell out. 
“Now he can’t go back and say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to give you another chance because the fight fell out the first time and we wasted money.’ 
“When they’ve been through this twice this Tommy and then turn around and give Tommy another fight. 
“I don’t think Tommy’s going to win, I think Jake will win but it still shows he already pretty much admitted a fight with me meant more and was tougher than with Tommy.
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“He’s still going to have to answer that question after this fight. But he’s going down in weight and I’m not going nowhere lower than 200. 
“That’s the absolute lowest I would go. But we’ll see about Jake, but Logan can get it, even though I don’t think Logan will be interested in fighting me.” 
Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr before their fight cancelationCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

JAKE PAUL and Tommy Fury exploded into a row over previous opponents ahead of their bitter fight. The pair of celebrity boxing rivals look finally set to meet in the ring, following Fury’s two prior pullouts amid injury and US visa issues.
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing off in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
And the bad blood carried over to the pre-fight press conference as they two put down each other’s boxing records.
Paul, 26, said: “He can’t knock out the taxi drivers he’s been put in there with, who have a combined record of 20 wins and 250 losses.
“And when I say that stat, my friend came up to me like, ‘Yo, I thought you was joking when you said that stat.’
“That’s an actual stat, his opponents have a combined record of 20 wins and 250 losses.
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“And the records of the opponents now is like 30 wins and 350 losses. So he’s never been put in there with someone who wasn’t put in there to lose.
“So on Sunday, when he’s in the locker room warming up he’s gonna be thinking, ‘Damn, everyone has been put in there to lose, the Warrens put me in there with scrubs and now I have a real fight, eight rounds.’
“He’s never been eight rounds, he’s going to be put in the deep waters and drowned and I promise that.”
Fury, who has never gone past six rounds, will be Paul’s first opponent with a recognised boxing record on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
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That is despite wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47.
But Fury, 23, responded: “Tyron Woodley was 40-years-old, Anderson Silva was nearly 50, not too far off my dad’s age and he got took the full distance.
“Everybody knows in this building who knows about boxing, MMA fighters are not boxers, we all know that.
“I’ve absolutely took apart every single MMA fighter I’ve ever sparred with in my entire life.
“They’re not boxers, and this guy couldn’t even deal with them. Let alone, ‘This guy is a great striker.’ Yeah, in MMA, not boxing.
“And you still went eight rounds with him and looked like you went through the trenches.
“On Sunday night, you’ve got a fresh, young, 23-year-old, proper legitimate fighter who will have it inside or outside the ring.
“I’m not for lights, camera, action, this is in my heart, blood and sole and you’re going to feel that.
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“Let me tell you now, I’m not a 50-year-old man and when you’re in the opposite corner, and you’re getting hit all about the head, blue flashes, you’re going to wake up and realise what boxing is.
“It’s not to fight old men, you’ve got a proper, proper fight in here who is coming to take your head off.”
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury pose with the WBC Diriyah beltCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL has set a timeframe for his MMA debut – after secretly training for it ahead of his fight with Tommy Fury. Paul finally faces Tommy Fury – who has twice pulled out before due to injury and US visa issues – on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
Jake Paul pictured training in MMACredit: @jakepaul
It comes just over a month after the YouTuber-turned boxer signed a deal with the UFC’s rivals, The Professional Fighters League.
Paul, 26, will help spearhead the PFL’s new “super-fight” division, which will also host his debut in the cage in 2024.
And the former high-school wrestler has been working on his MMA skills while preparing to fight Fury, 23.
Paul said on The MMA Hour: “After this fight I’m going to get back into the MMA training.
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“We’ve been working on the jiu jitsu. It’s coming really naturally and first though.
“I was a wrestler, so like a lot of my movements are just like snapping right back to me when I was doing jiu jitsu/wrestling training.
“And I have the boxing, so it’s really just getting the kicks and being able to defend the kicks, which is going to be interesting.
“But I like to push myself, that’s what life’s about, is living outside your comfort zone, the best people will tell you that.
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“I just wanna do MMA. I think I can be really good at it.”
Paul’s fight with Fury will mark the first time he has faced a recognised professional boxer, despite wins over ex-MMA champions.
He already has Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and UFC great Anderson Silva, 47, on his winning resume in the ring.
But the American is ready to try and add one more legendary UFC name onto his record in Nate Diaz.
Paul said: “I think they’re ready. I’m getting through Sunday and we’re going to line that one up, ASAP.
“Yeah, I think that’s next. I think that’s what the fans want, and that’s who I want.
“There’s been a lot of talk back and forth, we’ve said our stuff, but it’s time to get down to business.”
Paul he has even offered 37-year-old Diaz a two-fight deal, in both the ring and cage.
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He said: “I want to do the one fight boxing, one fight MMA, but I’m not sure if Nate’s team is fully aligned on that yet or I don’t know if they realise how serious I am about that.
“I think they thought I was just doing it for hype, but I’m dead ass.”
Jake Paul facing off with Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
Nate Diaz is a free agent after leaving the UFCCredit: GETTY More

JAKE PAUL hit his sparring partner Kalvin Henderson so hard he immediately ruled out any allegations of fight fixing. The YouTuber-turned boxer has been forced to deny baseless accusations that his wins over Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva were rigged. 
Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: AP
Kalvin Henderson pictured in training with Jake Paul
But Henderson – who has been in camp with Paul for his upcoming fight with Tommy Fury – is able to put those theories to bed. 
He told SunSport: “He hit me with a right hand and I instantly knew that the fight he had with Tyron Woodley when he knocked him unconscious wasn’t fixed at all. 
“That was a real shot, he caught me with a shot and of course, I’m a seasoned professional boxer I wasn’t dazed or got dropped or anything, but I didn’t want to get hit with that shot anymore. 
“I had to make adjustments to make sure I didn’t get hit with it anymore. When he caught me I felt the pop on him.” 
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Paul knocked out Askren, 38, and Woodley, 40, but was taken the distance by UFC legend Silva, 47, last October. 
But he faces his first opponent with a recognised pro boxing record on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, against Fury, 23. 
Henderson, 32, was approached by Paul’s coach BJ Flores via Instagram to help prepare for the celebrity grudge match. 
And after three weeks in camp with the American in Dubai – just 400 miles away from the scene of fight night – he was full of praise. 
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Henderson said: “What really shocked me the most was he’s really locked in, man.
“He’s not doing this for no gimmick, for no jokes or content or likes or shares. 
“He’s really a boxer, he trains like I would for a fight. He goes to the gym and doesn’t play around, does his recovery and he goes home. 
“He doesn’t hang around the gym and crack jokes, he goes and puts in work.” 
Super-middleweight contender Henderson admitted it took a few rounds to come to terms with Paul’s uncoventional style. 
He revealed: “Jake’s a little unorthodox, a little quirky in his movement.
“It’s not like a traditional boxer where you know where the shots are coming from. 
“His timing is a little weird too, he’ll be moving one second and then he’ll throw a right hand or a left hand the next second. 
“It kind of takes a little time to adjust to it. He has good pop for his size.” 

🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
Paul, in just three years of professional prizefighting, is already one of the richest stars in the sport. 
In 2021, he was behind only Canelo Alvarez, 32, and Tyson Fury, 34, in the list of highest-paid boxers. 
His pay-per-view appeal has afforded him fortune in the ring, but away from the on-screen bravado, Paul is a welcoming character. 
Henderson said: “When Jake’s on camera, he’s one way, kinda like an actor in a movie. But when you’re talking to him, he’s very cool, down to earth. 
“I was sharing some insight from one of our sparring sessions, what I was impressed on and it was cool to hear how intellectual Jake is and how his mind works on boxing. 
“He was locked in. He’s a cool guy, man. No issues at all.” 
Paul is finally set to fight Fury, who has twice pulled out in the past amid injury and US visa issues. 
And Henderson has backed his training partner to win, in a warning to Britain’s Fury. 
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He said: “If Tommy comes in and what to press and engage, he might get caught early and go to sleep. 
“It really depends on what Tommy shows up that night. But I know Jake is going to come ready.
Don’t miss the True Test on Sunday as Jake Paul takes on Tommy Fury, exclusively on talkSPORT for FREE. Download the app.
Jake Paul facing off with Tommy FuryCredit: Reuters More