Jake Paul has become the most talked-about name in boxing. The 27-year-old former YouTuber started his career just four years ago and has already built a 12-fight record with only one loss.
Paul's recent fight against 58-year-old Mike Tyson has sparked controversy in the boxing world. The match, streamed on Netflix, topped one of the most viewed boxing cards of all time. However, it didn't deliver the action many fans expected. Tyson showed brief flashes of his past glory before tiring, while Paul seemed to ease off to avoid seriously hurting the heavyweight legend.
Following the Tyson fight, Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, threw down the gauntlet to Paul. Beterbiev, known for his knockout power, challenged Paul with a provocative message:
"Jake Paul, what can you do in the ring against the current undisputed champion? Just know that I'm always open to any suggestions."
Paul's response to this callout was swift and confident. He tweeted:
"Just seen this… Top 5 pound for pound fighter in the world calling me out. Haha. 4 years in and I run this sport."
Beterbiev didn't let the matter rest, firing back:
"After four years it's time to have serious challenges. Didn't notice your acceptance or rejection. So what are we gonna do?"
Paul's boxing journey has seen him defeat former UFC fighters and score notable wins against Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry. His only loss came against Tommy Fury, a fighter closer to his own age and weight class.
On the other hand, Beterbiev is a ferocious puncher from Russia who had knocked out every opponent until his last fight. He recently became the four-belt champion at 175 pounds by defeating Dmitry Bivol in October.
Despite Paul's bold claim about running the sport after just four years, it's unlikely he'll accept Beterbiev's challenge. The significant weight difference and Beterbiev's knockout record make this a risky proposition for the young boxer.
While Paul continues to make waves in the boxing world, his next move remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Beterbiev is more likely to focus on an immediate rematch with Dmitry Bivol, keeping the light-heavyweight division's attention firmly on their rivalry.
