Jake Paul moved to 11-1 on his boxing record with a win over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. He is adamant that, despite the sideshow element of this latest contest, he wants to become a legitimate world champion.
Paul, 27, coasted over the eight round distance against ‘Iron’ Mike, who looked every bit his age in the ring in Texas. It was another big money tick off the list for the YouTuber-turner-fighter, but the performance told fans little about his improvements or skillset.
He had insisted pre-fight that he would call out current unified super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for a bout at cruiserweight. Post-fight, he said that the Mexican ‘needs him’, which is far from reality.
Paul hasn’t mentioned any of the current cruiserweight champions like Jai Opetaia, Chris Billam-Smith, Gilberto Ramirez or Noel Mikaelian. He may be in luck though if he really wants to risk it all for a shot at a title.
In the wake of the Tyson bout, undisputed light-heavyweight champion and fearsome knockout artist Artur Beterbiev took to social media to entertain talks.
“Jake Paul, what can you do in the ring against the current undisputed champion? Just know that I’m always open to any suggestions.”
It’s out of character for Beterbiev, a man of few words, to engage in such antics, but many fans of the sport would encourage Paul to sign the dotted line in order to show him his true level.
The Russian became undisputed champion at 175lbs earlier this year when he beat Dmitry Bivol via points – his first fight in 21 that heard the final bell after knocking out 20 men up until then. His most likely next move, despite this entertaining call out, will be a rematch with Bivol.
