MMA

JAKE PAUL has been compared to Floyd Mayweather – despite being told he will never be a “world-class fighter”. The YouTuber-turned pay-per-view boxer is 6-0 since making his debut just three years ago.
Jake Paul has been compared to Floyd MayweatherCredit: Reuters
Floyd Mayweather after his last pro fight in 2017Credit: AP:Associated Press
And in 2022, he celebrated being named the sixth highest-paid athlete under 25.
Paul’s ability to sell tickets and PPVs has seen Hall of Famer trainer Teddy Atlas liken him to an all-new “Money” Mayweather.
Atlas said on his YouTube channel: “He’s almost been an understudy of the great Floyd Mayweather, really, and that’s a positive thing.
“We’re not talking about as a fighter. We’re talking about in this business, as a businessman, as a matchmaker, as a manager, just as a smart calculated man.
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“Jake Paul has been every bit of Floyd Mayweather.”
Paul has beaten ex-UFC champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47, in the last two years.
But he faces his first opponent with a recognised boxing record in Tommy Fury, 23, who twice pulled out of the grudge match before.
Atlas, Mike Tyson’s first coach alongside Cus D’Amato, credited Paul, 26, for upping his class of opposition but claimed the American’s boxing potential is limited.
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He said: “He’s still trying to get better. He’s never gonna be a world-class fighter.
“We understand that, but he’s gonna be the best he can be, and he’s trying to be the best he can be.
“He respected the sport enough to go about it the right way. Yeah, he’s careful picking [his opponents], but there’s still risk.
“There’s still risk. He deserves respect. There’s still a risk when he gets into that freakin’ ring.
“He’s getting in there with real people that throw real punches.”
Boxing trainer Teddy AtlasCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL has vowed to become a “dominant world champion” and claimed his boxing potential is “scary”. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter is 6-0 since making his professional debut just three years ago.
Jake Paul has vowed to become a ‘dominant world champion’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
He faces his first opponent with a recognised boxing record in Tommy Fury on February 26 in Saudi Arabia
But the American feels the step up in pedigree is just the beginning, as he voiced lofty ambitions of reaching the pinacle of the sport.
He told Sky Sports: “I want to become a world champion.
“I’m going to become a world champion and these fights are all just stepping stones to get there. I’m slowly improving.
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“I’ve sparred against world champions and done phenomenal against them, so who knows what can happen in two to three years from now when I go into my athletic prime?
“I’m starting to really, really get this sport and all aspects of it. It’s really actually scary what could possibly happen.
“I think not only will I become a world champion, I think I will be a dominant world champion and knock someone out for the belt.”
Fury, 23, is finally set to get Paul, 26, in the ring having pulled out twice before amid injury and US visa issues.
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And the brother of heavyweight star Tyson, 34, scoffed at his celebrity boxing rival’s world championship goals.
Fury said: “That’s like saying a pig’s going to fly. I’m going to teach Jake Paul a lesson on February 26.
“I’m going to show that he can’t just pick up a pair of gloves whenever you want and say, ‘Oh I’m going to be a world champion’.
“World champions are destined and world champions are born and he is definitely not a world champion.
“He’s not a champion or anything of the sort in boxing and he’s going to find that out on February 26.”

Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing off ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL revealed the exact punch he wants to knock out Tommy Fury with and warned: “He’s just not going to be prepared for the moment.”The pair of celebrity boxing rivals have announced the latest rescheduling of their eight-round grudge match, on February 26 in Saudi Arabia
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury ahead of their fightCredit: PA
Paul comes into it off the back of wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47.
All three were either knocked out or floored by the YouTuber-turned 6-0 boxer’s right hand.
But Paul, 26, wants to put down Fury, 23, with his left hook and warned the fight will not go past the half way mark.
He told iFL TV: “Me and Tommy will be around three rounds max.
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“He’s just not going to be prepared for the moment or what I’m bringing to the table.
“I’m trying to knock him out with a hook actually, I want him to be the first person I knock out with my left hand so we’ve been working on that.”
Fury has twice pulled out of fighting Paul in the past, with a rib injury in December 2021 and then a US visa issue last August.
The travel woe still persists today and as a result has brought the duo over to the Saudi desert.
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And Fury has been told by his champion brother Tyson, 34, to stay in the Middle East and vacate their famous surname if he loses.
With the pressure mounting on, Paul believes he will ruin the 2019 Love Islander’s love for boxing as he broke down how he feels their bout will go.
He said: “I think the first round will be chill and then I’ll start to figure him out after 30-45 seconds.
“Then the second round I’ll turn it up and it shouldn’t take much more than that.
“Tommy should get a good wealth manager, I can recommend you a few.
“Take the money and ride off into the sunset but this is going to set your life in the direction that you should have been on before and you’re going to hate this f***ing sport after February 26.”
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing offCredit: Reuters More