Jake Paul sent shockwaves through the boxing world last week. ‘The Problem Child’ called out former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua. This latest stunt follows the failed talks for a showdown with Canelo Alvarez weeks ago. But Paul’s ongoing quest for legitimacy, by challenging elite boxers, has only left fans and analysts raising their eyebrows.
The act failed to amuse former two-division champion Tim Bradley it seems. Yet, one cannot ignore. Despite heavy criticism, Jake Paul’s antics ultimately led to a blockbuster fight with Mike Tyson last November. So, what’s the harm in him expanding his footprint in boxing by calling out active champions? The Ohio native has faced criticism for cherry-picking former UFC fighters and retired or semi-retired boxers. Perhaps this is why Bradley suggests people should take Paul seriously. That said, not for the reasons one might expect.
The callouts keep coming, but what’s Jake Paul’s endgame?
Boxing Social’s Matt Lenihan caught up with Bradley for an interview. The discussion initially centered on the highly anticipated Mikaela Mayer-Sandy Ryan rematch. Given how their first fight played out six months ago, Bradley predicted another war at Fontainebleau, Las Vegas, with both fighters making key adjustments.
Boxing: Jake Paul vs Andre August Dec 15, 2023 Orlando, Florida, USA Jake Paul gives a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after knocking out Andre August in the first round at the Caribe Royale Orlando. , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNathanxRayxSeebeckx 20231215_nrs_fo8_00015_
Lenihan then shifted gears, and asked, “I need to ask you about this um Jake Paul. He said I won’t fight Benavidez. I’m scared of that guy, but I want to fight Canelo, and he recently called out Anthony Joshua. Now we know how the business works: people talk and get views. Do you think he’s serious, and what do you make of that?“
Bradley didn’t hesitate. Nodding his head, he responded, “Yeah, I think he’s serious,” before quickly adding, “I think he’s serious to get his a** whooped. That’s what it is. He’s serious; he’s serious to nothing. Hey he don’t mind getting his a** whooped.“
Bradley felt Paul is willing to take a beating in exchange for a massive payday. According to him, the YouTuber-turned-boxer is chasing clout by calling out elite fighters like Canelo and Joshua, not because he thinks he can win, but because he wants to build a legacy by saying he fought the best.
Paul’s callouts deserve a response, and a KO
Lenihan then posed a hypothetical: “But if he stepped in the ring with Anthony Joshua, all jokes aside, would you, from the outside looking in, as a former fighter, know how dangerous this is? Would you look and go, ‘I’m concerned for you in that fight?“
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 20: Jake Paul looks on during their cruiserweight fight against Mike Perry at Amalie Arena on July 20, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Bradley initially thought elite boxers shouldn’t entertain Paul at all. But his stance has shifted. Now, he wants fighters like Joshua, Canelo, and even Andre Ward to face Paul and knock him out, effectively putting an end to the hype.
“Hell no, hell no, fight him, fight him, beat him, smoke him, Andre Ward, get in there with him, beat him, knock his a** out, uh, Anthony Joshua, get in there, beat him, knock his a** out, uh, who else? Canelo Alvarez, get in there, fight him, knock his a** out,” said the former world champion.
When asked whether he would ever step into the ring with Paul, Bradley sarcastically noted that Paul never called him out. After all, a fight against Bradley wouldn’t generate nearly as much money. However, he made one thing clear, if they ever did fight, he would easily defeat Paul without question.
So one thing remains evident: Jake Paul still has a long way to go before the boxing world recognizes him as a legitimate contender.
Do you agree with Tim Bradley’s assessment of Jake Paul’s recent callouts?
The post Tim Bradley Jr. Rips Apart Jake Paul for Challenging Canelo Alvarez- “He’s Serious to Get His A** Whooped” appeared first on EssentiallySports.