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    Jake Paul fears his performance against UFC legend Anderson Silva will scare off Conor McGregor from future fight

    JAKE PAUL fears his performance against UFC legend Anderson Silva will scare off Conor McGregor from a future fight. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, in his first bout in ten months.
    Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Anderson SilvaCredit: Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME
    Conor McGregor was called out by Jake PaulCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma
    And he has insisted it will be worth the wait as he plans to produce a career-best win over the UFC legend.
    But Paul, 25, believes it could come at a price, namely by striking fear into the eyes of long-time rival McGregor, 34.
    He told SecondsOut: “I don’t know if it’s a potential fight.
    “And I don’t know if he will take that risk after he sees what I’m going to do to Anderson, a southpaw, he’s not going to take that risk.”
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    McGregor lost his one and only boxing match, against American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45, in 2017.
    The Irishman is currently in training for a UFC return having not fought since July 2021 when he broke his leg fighting Dustin Poirier, 33.
    Meanwhile Paul last boxed in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
    That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
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    Woodley only filled on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
    The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.
    Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightening to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
    But it has now paved the way for Paul to return in a night where he has vowed to completely outclass Silva, 47.
    He said: “I’m going to outbox him every single round so if it goes all eight rounds then it will be a unanimous decision.
    “But I think I’ll stop him before then, he just has a lot of wholes in his defence.”
    Jake Paul and Anderson SIlva ahead of their fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva thrown into doubt with UFC icon’s ‘eligibility to compete’ being reviewed amid KO claims

    ANDERSON SILVA’S “eligibility to compete” against Jake Paul will be reviewed TONIGHT after claims he was knocked out in sparring. The pair are due to fight over eight rounds in Arizona this weekend.
    Anderson Silva said he was ‘joking’ about being knocked out in sparringCredit: SHOWTIME
    But Silva, 47, caused concern after saying he was knocked out two times in training for the 187lb catchweight clash with Paul, 25.
    The UFC legend – speaking at the open workout – has since clarified that it was just kidology and lost in translation.
    But the Arizona commission have now thrown the fight into doubt by organising a meeting at 6.30pm local time to discuss the claims.
    According to ESPN, Silva’s “eligibility to compete” against Paul will be reviewed and so will “additional documentation submitted” by the Brazilian.
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    Silva addressed the comments when speaking to media members just three days out from the fight.
    He said: “Listen guys, let me tell you something very important.
    “When I talk about the guys doing the hard sparring and the knockout, it was just joking.
    “Because I’m training with the young kids and the guys asked me, and I don’t put nothing bad in my mind, and the guys say, ‘Oh, Anderson take knockout in training.’
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    “Of course not. I just like to help and put my partners up, that’s the question.”
    Silva made the controversial comments during an interview with MMA Weekly.
    He said: “I’m training hard for win — I’m training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me.
    “And the last sparring with [my sparring partner], he is knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, ‘Coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?’

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    “And the coach said, ‘You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.’”
    Silva’s trainer Luiz Carlos Dorea denied the comments and Silva later released a statement addressing the situation.
    He wrote: “After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things. One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring.
    “I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring.
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    “Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September.
    “The interview with MMA Weekly was done on Sept. 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.”
    Jake Paul training ahead of his fight with Anderson SilvaCredit: Showtime More

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    UFC legend Anderson Silva insists he was ‘just joking’ about being knocked out TWICE in sparring for Jake Paul fight

    ANDERSON SILVA said he was “just joking” about being knocked out TWICE in sparring ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. The UFC legend faces Paul over eight rounds in Arizona this weekend.
    Anderson Silva was ‘just joking’ about being knocked out twice in sparringCredit: Caitlin O’Hara/SHOWTIME
    But he caused concern after claiming in an interview that he was knocked out two times in training.
    Silva, speaking at the open workout, has since clarified that it was just kidology and lost in translation.
    He said: “Listen guys, let me tell you something very important.
    “When I talk about the guys doing the hard sparring and the knockout, it was just joking.
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    “Because I’m training with the young kids and the guys asked me, and I don’t put nothing bad in my mind, and the guys say, ‘Oh, Anderson take knockout in training.’
    “Of course not. I just like to help and put my partners up, that’s the question.”
    Silva, 47, made the controversial comments during an interview with MMA Weekly.
    He said: “I’m training hard for win — I’m training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me.

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    “And the last sparring with [my sparring partner], he is knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, ‘Coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?’
    “And the coach said, ‘You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.’”
    Silva’s trainer Luiz Carlos Dorea denied the comments and Silva later released a statement addressing the situation.
    He wrote: “After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things. One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring.
    “I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring.
    “Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September.
    “The interview with MMA Weekly was done on Sept. 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.”
    The Arizona commission are still set to investigate Silva’s claim ahead of the bout with Paul, 25.
    Jake Paul during his open workoutCredit: Caitlin O’Hara/SHOWTIME More

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    ‘A bit too fresh for him’ – Eddie Hearn makes Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva prediction as YouTuber faces UFC legend

    EDDIE HEARN reckons Jake Paul will be too fast and “too fresh” in his showdown with MMA legend Anderson Silva.The YouTuber turned boxer will throw down with the former UFC middleweight champion early on Sunday morning in Pheonix, Arizona.
    Jake Paul will throw down with Anderson Silva early on Sunday morningCredit: AP
    Former UFC middleweight champ Silva will be the toughest test of Paul’s careerCredit: Getty
    Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has tipped Paul to get the better of SilvaCredit: SPORTSFILE
    Future UFC Hall-of-Famer Silva, 47, will be the most decorated striker Paul has faced in his burgeoning career – although Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn believes Father Time will be on side of the YouTuber this weekend.
    He told Betfred: “Anderson Silva is 48 years old now, but he’s an MMA legend.
    “He’s a decent striker as well, and obviously has that victory over a very faded Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
    “I just expect Jake to be a bit too fresh for him.”
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    Paul, 25, goes into his clash with Silva on the back of a brutal sixth-round knockout victory over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
    Hearn has been impressed by what he’s seen of Paul since his debut, saying: “Watching Jake, he’s definitely improving as a fighter.
    “You can see that.
    “He’s in good shape and he’s a strong young man, but he’s probably not going to get as much credit as he deserves if he wins because the argument that he hasn’t beaten a boxer will remain.
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    “Silva is definitely his toughest challenge so far and if he wins he should get the appropriate credit.”
    Improvements aside, Hearn believes The Problem Child will eventually get found out.

    He said: “I don’t think he’s terrible but he’s certainly not going to be competing at world level.
    “Again, we shouldn’t really knock him because many fighters are trying to compete at world level but also won’t make that grade as well.
    “And that’s no disgrace because it’s a very difficult thing to do.
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    “He is improving and he’s given his time to the sport. Good luck to him.”
    Victory over Silva will see former Disney star Paul move to a perfect 6-0 and will be the biggest of his career. More

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    Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor could be ‘a lot more competitive than Notorious against Floyd Mayweather, Eddie Hearn claims

    BOXING promoter Eddie Hearn threw his support behind Jake Paul fighting Conor McGregor.The YouTuber-turned-boxer has repeatedly declared his interest in pitting his wits against the UFC star, where he claims he will knock the Irishman out.
    Jake Paul is 5-0 inside the boxing ring ahead of his bout against Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Conor McGregor has had one boxing fight – a KO loss to the legend Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty – Contributor
    It would be a real battle of the novices with Paul 5-0 inside the squared circle, while the Notorious has had one fight in boxing – a KO defeat against Floyd Mayweather in August 2017.
    Paul is currently preparing to face Anderson Silva on October 29 after a bout to face Tommy Fury was scrapped for a second time.
    But Hearn wants to see Paul take on McGregor in the ring.
    Speaking to Sirius XM Boxing in late 2020, the Matchroom boss said: “I think it’s reasonably competitive, especially with the weight difference.
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    “Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor is a lot more competitive than Conor vs Floyd Mayweather.”
    McGregor and Paul have been embroiled in a war-of-words in social media, with the Dublin native labelling the American as a “flop” and a “nobody”.
    His comments came after Paul talked up a clash against McGregor in an interview with the MMA Hour.
    Paul said his rival must get active again with the 34-year-old still recovering from a broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier last year.
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    He told Ariel Helwani: “I think for me, fighting a couple more times, continuing to knock some people out, and he has to get active again, who knows when that’s gonna happen?
    “I think those two things need to happen, and then at some point, it’s gotta happen.
    He added: “You know, why not? He’s a businessman, I’m a businessman, and that’s $75 to $100 million [£63m-£84.3m]for both of us.”
    McGregor was quick to reply to the interview as he took to social media to criticise Paul.
    Commenting on the unbeaten 5-0 ace, he tweeted: “You’ve [had] 2 fights and done 70k buys.”
    Eddie Hearn thinks McGregor vs Paul would be ‘competitive’Credit: PA:Press Association More

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    Conor McGregor offered boxing world title shot by fellow Irish fighter Dennis Hogan as talks begin with UFC star

    UFC superstar Conor McGregor has allegedly been offered a shock crack at a boxing world title.The Notorious entered the boxing world in August 2017 for a multi-million-pound showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr but has repeatedly flirted with the prospect of returning to the squared circle.
    Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in 2017 for a clash with Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
    The UFC’s poster boy has flirted with a return to the squared circleCredit: GETTY
    And he’s allegedly been offered a crack at Dennis Hogan’s IBO middleweight titleCredit: EPA
    And the Irishman has been offered a shot at countryman Dennis Hogan’s IBO light-middleweight title – which Spike O’Sullivan is also in the running for.
    Hogan’s manager Steve Scanlan told Irish-Boxing.com: “We have been in touch with both Spike and Conor’s team.
    “Spike’s team will move heaven and earth to make this fight, so that is a much easier fight to make happen but we are just working through everything.
    “If we don’t fight Conor, which obviously is a long shot, but crazier things have happened, then we will 100 per cent be fighting Spike in Ireland.”
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    A fight with McGregor would be incredibly hard to make as the Dubliner is still under contract with the UFC.
    The former two-division world champion has two fights left on his current deal with the MMA giants.
    McGregor, 34, is currently recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.
    The UFC’s poster boy was expected to return to action before year’s end but isn’t back to fighting fitness.
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    But he plans to make up for lost time after finishing up his part in the upcoming Road House remake.
    He recently tweeted: “There is no one in Hollywood with the skills or the capability to do what I am doing in this movie ‘the roadhouse’ Box office records.
    “Awards. Mr tasty shots on the big screen.
    “I’m feeling crazy confident. Calm. Disattached from emotion.
    “Aware of what I must do and making it happen. Visualizing. I see it all. Clear.
    “This movie wraps, I’m back. I’ll have multiple fights completed by the time this movie even releases.”
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    McGregor won’t be back until April at the earliest as he’s currently out of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.
    Fighters who have left the pool must be enrolled in the year-round testing programme for six months before competing unless they’re given an exemption – although they’d have to return two negative tests before doing so. More

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    Anderson Silva says ‘I am fit and ready’ as he clarifies talk he was KO’d in sparring and plots knockout of Jake Paul

    ANDERSON SILVA has shut down suggestions he was knocked-out twice in sparring ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. The pair are set to go head-to-head in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend as the 47-year-old looks to continue his impressive start to life in boxing after a long time in UFC.
    The Spider’s surprise revelation has added even more intrigue ahead of his clash with PaulCredit: Getty
    Paul is finally getting back in the ring after plans for multiple fights fell apartCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
    With Paul looking to claim one of the biggest scalps of his career, Silva has a challenge on his hands to make it five wins in six fights.
    But fans were left worried by his preparation after the UFC legend said he was knocked out twice in sparring ahead of the bout.
    But he has since clarified his comments.
    Silva was quotes as saying: “I’m training hard for win — I’m training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me.
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    “And the last sparring with [my sparring partner], he is knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, ‘coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?’
    “And the coach said, ‘You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.’”
    But Silva’s longtime coach Luiz Carlos Dorea told MMA Fighting that Silva’s story was incorrect, and he was not knocked out.
    He said: “What I can say is that didn’t happen,” he said. “Thank God we follow all the steps in training and Anderson did excellent sparring [sessions]. He’s 100 percent for the fight.”
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    Silva has also clarified his comment.
    He said: “After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things. One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring. I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring. 
    “Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September. The interview with MMA Weekly was done on September 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.  
    “More importantly, my training camp has been great. I am fit and ready to fight and the only knockout people should be worried about is the one I’m about to deliver to Jake Paul on Saturday night.” 
    Despite the denial, The Arizona Department of Gaming, which oversees the state’s boxing commission, said they would be “looking into the matter.”
    Silva is looking to hand The Problem Child his first loss.
    Paul was supposed to be fighting Tommy Fury in August but plans fell through after an issue with the Brit’s US visa.
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    A bout with Hasim Rahman Jr was also set up, but that also fell through due to a problem making weight on the heavyweight fighter’s side.
    The Youtuber-turned-boxer has not fought since December when he knocked out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley. More

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    Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva predictions: Legends of boxing and UFC reveal picks for fight between YouTube and MMA star

    JAKE PAUL and Anderson Silva’s catchweight bout is the latest crossover clash dividing opinions in the fight world. In a battle of young and old and youth against experience, Paul, 25, steps up for the biggest test of his boxing career against Silva, 47.
    Anderson Silva fights Jake Paul in ArizonaCredit: Showtime
    Jake Paul faces Anderson Silva in his biggest fight to dateCredit: AP
    The pair meet over eight-rounds at 187lb in Arizona at the weekend.
    It is the night Paul promises to legitimise himself in the sweet science but just another day in the office for UFC great Silva.
    And ahead of the fascinating fight for the ages, SunSport runs down what the experts predict.
    Oscar De La Hoya
    The six-weight boxing champion is a big fan of Paul and the YouTuber’s impact on the sport, so his prediction comes as no surprise.
    De La Hoya, 49, told Inside Fighting: “That’s a good fight. I’m gonna go with Jake Paul.
    “Yeah, I’m gonna go with Jake Paul, just because he seems like he’s getting into the rhythm of things. He doesn’t have too many fights.
    “He loves boxing, is a hard worker, and has a lot of power. If he connects with Silva, he’s going to knock him out. If he touches Silva, he’s going down.”
    Prediction… Paul
    Oscar De La Hoya backed Jake Paul to beat Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty
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    Daniel Cormier
    The former two-weight UFC champion was once called out by Paul and is now backing his fellow MMA icon.
    Cormier, 43, told ESPN: “I think Anderson Silva wins the fight. 
    “If Jake Paul wins – honestly, he’s a kid that’s in his prime, and I say that knowing that now Jake Paul can fight. The guy can fight.
    “I’m done being of the people that say this kid’s a joke. This kid is not a joke. The kid can fight, and there are many reasons as to why he can fight.
    “But we talk about Anderson, all that he has done – Anderson beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is bigger and better than anything (Paul’s) ever done.”
    Prediction… Silva
    Jake Paul and Daniel Cormier once feudedCredit: Reuters
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    Tyron Woodley
    The ex-UFC champ was twice beaten by Paul, on points and by KO, so knows all about the social media sensation’s power.
    Woodley, 40, told MMA Fighting: “I know a lot of people want to see Jake Paul get beat up and see him taught a lesson like a bully on a playground.
    “But he really is a kid, not very much responsibility, no financial limitations, energy, he makes everything a bucket list, a challenge.
    “That’s why he likes to bet so much. If he loses, it’s not that big of a deal but he secretly wants to win real bad. Cause he’s been a fan of the combat sports world for so long.
    “I’ve got so many videos of the baby face Jake Paul wanting to take pictures with me and Logan and being fans of me back in the day, he’s just tricking everyone.
    “He’s training his ass off. He’s got KO power and he’s learned to throw that particular punch that he’s got timing on.”
    Prediction… sitting on the fence
    Tyron Woodley has twice been beaten by Jake PaulCredit: Getty
    KSI
    The British YouTuber and crossover boxing star has long rivalled Paul, following his 2019 win over his brother Logan.
    And the pair are lined up for a 2023 grudge match at Wembley Stadium next year.
    But for now, they continue to take aim at each other, which was no different when KSI, 29, offered a blunt prediction for Paul’s next fight.
    He told Boxing Social: “Honestly, I think he might have bitten off more than he can chew.”
    Prediction… Silva
    KSI and Jake Paul want to fight in 2023Credit: GETTY
    Tom Aspinall
    The UFC heavyweight has not been afraid to hail Paul in the past and praised him for some wise matchmaking.
    Aspinall, 29, told Midnite: “I think he’s got Anderson Silva at a good time. Silva has obviously got a lot of miles on the clock. But he also has a lot of skills so it’s an interesting fight.
    “Silva has got to be pushing 50 now but the skills are still there, the body is still there.
    “I think Jake Paul takes it, I think Paul should be able to outwork him being the younger and fresher man but you never know.
    “Silva’s getting a bit older and Paul’s young and hungry – and Jake Paul’s looked good. I don’t care what anybody says, it looks like he has got skills. So I think he wins that one.”
    Prediction… Paul
    Tom Aspinall is backing Jake Paul to beat Anderson SilvaCredit: The Mega Agency

    Chuck Liddell
    The Iceman’s peak in the UFC cage came to an end just as Silva came to prominence and the American expects him to teach Paul a lesson.
    Liddell, 52, said to Fight Hub: “I think he wins, I think he knocks him out.
    “But hey, man, I’m interested to see it. Good luck to Jake. The kid is fighting.
    “He goes out there and really fights. You have to respect that.”
    Prediction… Silva
    UFC legend Chuck LiddellCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Eddie Hearn
    The promoter has had a love-hate relationship with Paul but still backed him to beat an ageing Silva.
    Hearn told The MMA Hour: “I don’t know enough about Anderson Silva. Anderson is [47], but he can box a bit by the sound of things.
    “While boxing is still a very impressive part of his repertoire, he’s still not a boxer, and he’s 47 years of age.
    “But he’s a tough guy, he has a huge profile, he can box, and I think he’ll be competitive.
    “I don’t think he beats Jake, because I think Jake is young, and I think he can punch a bit – and I’m intrigued to watch, and I like what Jake’s doing.”
    Prediction… Paul
    Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn have promoted togetherCredit: SPORTSFILE
    Chael Sonnen
    The former UFC title challenger had a fierce rivalry with Silva, losing twice and now has an allegiance with Paul.
    Sonnen, 45, told Fight Hub TV: “I do have strong feelings for this fight, I don’t think Jake Paul is going to knock him out.
    “If there was a magic wand, you knew this fight was going to happen and that Jake wasn’t going to knock him out, it would change your opinion.
    “Jake counts on that, he’s a powerful guy and he connects on people.
    “I don’t think it’s going to happen with Anderson and if he does connect, I don’t think he’s going to put ‘The Spider’ down.”
    Prediction… Paul
    Jake Paul, Chael Sonnen and Anderson SilvaCredit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME More