Jake Paul was the subject of many call outs from unexpected names following his controversial bout with Mike Tyson.
The 28-year-old beat former undisputed heavyweight champion ‘Iron’ Mike over the eight round distance late last year in Texas following backlash from the boxing world surrounding both the legitimacy and dangers of the event.
Where he goes next is unclear, but it may be hard to top the success of the Tyson fight. Still, he will try, and one way to do it could be to sign for a bout with genuine jeopardy.
They don’t come much harder than undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, who secured his fourth and final belt last year with a victory over Dmitry Bivol.
Prior to the Bivol points win, Beterbiev had knocked out all 20 opponents. Though he is adamant that fighting is his job and he is not a fan of the sport in the traditional sense, the Russian caught the Paul-Tyson hype and told Seconds Out not long after that he wanted ‘payback.’
“In boxing, for a long time I have had my favourite boxers and they are Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson and Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson and it’s my first reaction that I want to pay him back. But after a couple of days, it is good, I don’t want to fight with him. If he wants to then yes but I don’t think he wants to fight me… I think I’d show him boxing.”
Now, speaking to IFL TV ahead of this weekend’s rematch with Bivol, Beterbiev has reiterated that he would take the fight, but wants $100 million on the table.
“I think it’s not sport. I think it’s [a] show … Of course, yes [I’d fight him for 100 million].”
It is highly unlikely that Paul considers the move, although he was recently close to finalising a fight against Mexican superstar and four-weight world champion, Canelo.
