MMA

JAKE PAUL has already lined up his NEXT fight – just days before finally facing Tommy Fury. The celebrity boxing rivals are at last set to meet in the ring on Sunday, after Fury, 23, twice pulled out before amid injury and US visa issues.
Jake Paul facing off with Tommy FuryCredit: Reuters
And it will mark the first time Paul has fought a recognised professional boxer, despite wins over ex-MMA champions.
But the YouTuber-turned prizefighter is ready to try and add one more legendary UFC name onto his winning record.
Paul revealed Nate Diaz – who left the UFC last year – is the early frontrunner to be his next opponent.
He said on The MMA Hour: “I think they’re ready. I’m getting through Sunday and we’re going to line that one up, ASAP.
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“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, 26, added that summer is the target date for a fight with Diaz, 37.
He already has Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and UFC great Anderson Silva, 47, on his winning resume in the ring.
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But the American this year signed a deal with the UFC’s rivals, The Professional Fighters League.
Paul will help promoter a new “super-fight” division which also promises to host his debut in MMA.
And he has offered Diaz a two-fight deal, in both the ring and cage.
Paul 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.”
Nate Diaz is a free agent after leaving the UFCCredit: Getty
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HASIM RAHMAN JR claimed Jake Paul dodged a bullet and saved his boxing career after their cancelled fight. Paul on Sunday faces Tommy Fury, who was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to injury and again last August amid US visa issues. 
Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr before their cancelled fightCredit: GETTY
On the second occasion, heavyweight Rahman signed as a late replacement but was forced to come down TWO STONE to 200lb. 
The New York State Athletic Commission later changed the bout to 205lb, but even then the two sides disagreed. 
Eventually, the fight was scrapped with Rahman, 31, going on to sign for KSI’s Misfits Boxing banner after the ordeal. 
He did hold an unoffical weigh in the day before the proposed bout to prove he could make the catchweight limit – but hit the scales at 206.6lb. 
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Meanwhile Paul, 26, instead returned last October to beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, living to fight another day in Rahman’s eyes.
He told SunSport: “He dodged a bullet, even when we were going to 205. That extra 5lb was literally all I needed. 
“Had it actually been fight week, who knows? Maybe I would have actually made 205. I made 206 and weighed in like an hour early. 
“Jake Paul’s team knew what they were doing, they knew not to give me any time to get ready, they wouldn’t put him in that position. 
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“They all were telling him he was making a mistake by fighting me in the first place.” 
After Rahman’s cancellation, Fury, 23, becomes the first opponent with a recognised boxing record Paul will face. 
He has instead recorded wins over ex-MMA champions in Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and Silva. 
Paul twice beat ex-UFC welterweight champ Woodley, on points in August 2021 and then by KO in their rematch as Fury withdrew injured. 
The American was taken the eight rounds – even punched through the ropes and threatened to retire – which later emerged as a joke. 
But Rahman insisted the damage he was set to do on Paul would have been no laughing matter. 
He said: “I don’t like Jake, I don’t like him. I think he would’ve retired from boxing, he wouldn’t have been able to go back to creator boxing. 
“I think I would have hurt that man so bad, he would have been like, ‘I don’t think I want to do this anymore.’
I don’t like Jake, I don’t like him. I think he would’ve retired from boxing, he wouldn’t have been able to go back to creator boxing. Hasim Rahman Jr on Jake Paul
“He had that aura about him after he fought Tyron Woodley the first time, he didn’t seem too sure on whether he wanted to keep doing this. 
“I can guarantee you he would’ve been in five-ten times more pain and had to go through five-ten times as much with me than he did with Tyron Woodley.” 
Paul is set to move down to a career-lowest 185lb against Fury, having largely boxed at 190lb.
Meanwhile Rahman was 226lb for his last fight, a loss to ex-NFL star and now heavyweight fighter, who weighed over SEVEN STONE more. 
The weight disparity means the pair are not likely to ever cross paths and despite the bad blood, Rahman still backed Paul to beat Fury. 
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He said: “I think Jake wins a decision. I’m not sold on Jake’s power. 
“I don’t know much about Tommy but I’ve seen him box in spots and I definitely think Jake’s gonna win a decision.” 
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Jake Paul and Tommy Fury ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL has been urged by his ex-coach Shane Mosley to fight a former world champion if he beats Tommy Fury. Mosley, who won titles in three divisions, was the first to ever train Paul as a professional.
Shane Mosley was Jake Paul’s first coach as a professional and wants the YouTuber to fight a former world champion nextCredit: Getty
Jake Paul, Derek Chisora and Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
He led the YouTuber-turned-boxer, 26, to a one-round victory over social media rival AnEsonGib in January 2020.
Paul – who has since gone 6-0 – is now trained by ex-cruiserweight contender BJ Flores and Danny Smith.
He returns on Sunday in Saudi Arabia against Tommy Fury, 23, with the victor earning a WBC cruiserweight world ranking.
In his last fight, Paul beat Anderson Silva the UFC legend who in 2021 defeated ex-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
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And it is the son of Mexican boxing legend Chavez Sr who Mosley wants Paul to face after Fury.
He told FightHype: “Maybe he should fight Chavez Jr or something, or he fights this guy [Tommy Fury] and he wins, then fight Chavez Jr.
“Anderson Silva fought him already, maybe he should fight him and see what happens.
“He has to step his way up, keep stepping his way up and the way he looks now, he can do it.
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“The way he is training now, continue to train, continue to believe, yeah, why not?”
Fury will be the first opponent of Paul’s with a recognised boxing record.
That is despite wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Silva.
So the WBC’s decision to potentially rank the YouTuber-turned boxer caused outrage.
But Mosley believes Paul has the tools to take it all the way eventually, but suggested a move down to light-heavyweight.
He said: “It is a possibility, because he has the frame, he has the speed, he has the power.
“He might need to lose a little bit of weight, but he fights at cruiserweight so maybe he goes down to light-heavyweight.
“It is going to be hard for him at any of the weights, once you get to that level, then he has got to work with the right people.
“But, like right now, it will probably take him, two, three, four years to even be in that section, that area.
“He is not there yet, but if he fights the right people, then maybe he can do it.”
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr lost to UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty
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A BOXER who has shared the ring with BOTH Jake Paul and Tommy Fury claimed the fight will be a one-sided domination. Anthony Taylor, an MMA veteran who has crossed over to boxing, shot to recognition as one of Paul’s sparring partners in 2021. 
Jake Paul with ex-sparring partner Anthony TaylorCredit: Instagram @anthony_prettyboy
Tommy Fury faced Anthony Taylor in 2021Credit: Getty
The same year, he featured on one of the YouTube star’s undercards against Fury, losing on points. 
And the rounds banked between the pair of celebrity boxing rivals leaves Taylor in no doubt of who will emerge with bragging rights on the weekend. 
He told SunSport: “Jake is just going to outbox Tommy. He’s just a far better boxer.
“Jake is going to control him with his countering. Jake is more flexible and more fluid than Tommy, he’s got a higher ring IQ. 
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“Jake is going to dominate Tommy, who knows? I can see a possible knockdown by Jake but I’ve got Jake winning by unanimous decision.” 
Taylor was employed by Paul for his wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40. 
He has since beaten UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, last October but Fury, 23, will be his first opponent with a recognised boxing record. 
The Brit – brother to heavyweight champion Tyson – has won once since beating Taylor over four uneventful rounds on his US debut. 
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But his level of progressions afterwards – compared to 6-0 Paul’s – has been slammed. 
Taylor, 33, said: “Jake is just a harder worker than Tommy. We see him putting in the work and we actually see it inside the ring. 
“There’s no doubt about it that Jake’s the harder worker here, I’m not trying to say nothing bad about Tommy, he’s also a boxer and training hard but we haven’t seen a growth from Tommy. 
“We haven’t seen a change nor an improvement, it’s just been the same Tommy Fury.
“He’s just getting by picking his opponents after me and figuring out who he wants to fight. 
“That doesn’t do him any justice or good inside the ring. Jake is the bigger fighter, taller, smarter, faster and a lot more powerful than Tommy.”
Pundits have labelled the pay-per-view fight as a 50/50 on paper – much to the anger of Fury and his father John. 
But Taylor argued Paul is the one who should be offended and urged anyone who disagrees to put their money where their mouth is. 

He said: “How can people say it’s a 50/50? Just because he’s got long arms? Tommy has no ring IQ. 
“All he does is throw wild punches, he doesn’t set nothing up, he just has long limbs, that’s it.
“If you think Tommy’s going to win, bet your money he’s gonna win. If you’re so confident, put $1,000 down. 
“Don’t sit here and say, ‘Tommy’s going to win if you’re not going to put your money where your mouth is. 
“Just shut up and watch the fight. If you’re going to commentate and criticise things, put your money up.”
Fury has agreed with his dad John and brother Tyson to RETIRE if he cannot beat former prankster-turned prizefighter Paul.  
But Taylor – who has signed a multi-fight deal with KSI’s Misfits Boxing – has taken a more sympathetic view.
He said: “Anyone can bounce back, it’s just how you do it. It’s about how you take a loss and come back.
“Look man, this is a case of hard work beats talent. People need to give Tommy a break, he’s doing things others can’t do. 
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“Is he over his head? Yeah, he is. But let’s give this man a break, he’s only 23-years-old, he’s still a young kid.
“He has a lot more to give, if he loses and comes to Misfits, yeah best believe I’ll be waiting for you at Misfits buddy, because I’m the new king of Misfits.”
Anthony Taylor was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: Getty
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing off ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

BADOU JACK has warned Jake Paul against fighting for shock world honours – even if he wins the right to.Paul faces Tommy Fury in their rescheduled grudge match on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Tommy FuryCredit: @jakepaul
Badou Jack is a two-weight world championCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the victor will earn themselves a WBC cruiserweight world ranking – anywhere from the top 40-15 – depending on the performance.
Any the top 15 fighter is eligible to contend for a championship, meaning should Paul win in convincing enough style, it paves the way for a title shot.
And Jack happens to be challenging champion Ilunga Makabu for the very belt that the YouTuber-turned boxer could be ranked for.
But the two-division king – seeking a title in his third weight – urged Paul against aiming at the top just yet.
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Jack, 39, told SunSport: “Come on, it’s different levels. I think he’ll get ranked in the top 50, I don’t think he’ll get ranked to fight for a title.
“It would take years for that and obviously he’s not ready for that. The WBC, they’re thinking smart with business minds.
“He’ll generate money and that’s what it’s all about, but of course, he can’t fight for the title right now.
“He hasn’t even fought him yet, but he would’ve fought only one boxer. It takes time.”
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Jack conducted his training camp in Dubai, just 400 miles away from Saudi.
And so did Paul, with the pair bumping into each other and even sharing ice cold recovery baths together.
Jack revealed: “It looks like he’s training hard.
“This is the hurt business, so you’ve got to train hard but now he’s finally fighting a real boxer, so it looks like he’s ready for it.”
Paul, 26, is at last set to meet Fury, 23, in the ring after his rival twice pulled out in the past, amid injury and visa issues.
And it will be the first opponent he had faced with a recognised boxing record.
That despite wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 38, and Anderson Silva, 47.
Some boxing purists took aim at the celebrity boxing pair headlining over Jack and Makabu, 35.
But the Swedish legend claimed he is the people’s main event regardless.
Come on, it’s different levels. I think he’ll get ranked in the top 50, I don’t think he’ll get ranked to fight for a title.Badou Jack on Jake Paul fighting for a world title
Jack said: “I’m the real main event anyway. People who know boxing know that.
“But no, I’m not mad. I’m just happy for this opportunity and you can look at it like, maybe we get some new fans from their audience.
“It’s a new era of boxing, the social media era and I’m just thankful to Prince Khalid and Saudi Arabia for helping me get this fight.
“Now it’s up to me to prove that I’m the best.”
Jack has featured in some of the biggest events in boxing history, including undercard spots on Floyd Mayweather and Anthony Joshua’s fights.
Last August, when Joshua, 33, was beaten in a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, Jack narrowly edged past Richard Rivera, 32.
But he is motivated to leave no doubt in his second trip to Saudi, with the stakes raised as he attempts to become a three-division champ.
Jack said: “It’s for my legacy, a lot of great fighters moved up in weight and became champions in different weight classes.
“I’m tall, I have the reach so why not? I’m excited. I’m still hungry, I take care of my body and I still feel young.
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“Last fight was not a good fight, there were some issues that happened and the motivation wasn’t really there like it is right now, fighting for the belt.
“I’m still hungry, I’ve still got it.”
Badou Jack beat Richard Rivera in his last fightCredit: Getty
Badou Jack and Jake Paul during their Dubai training camp More