Jake Paul, the 28-year-old internet personality turned boxer, beat former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an 8-round bout late last year in Texas. The fight got people talking, and now some unexpected names want a piece of the action.
Paul won by unanimous decision in a match that raised eyebrows across the boxing world. Many questioned if the event was legitimate and worried about the dangers involved. Despite the controversy, the bout drew massive attention.
Now, Paul faces a tough challenge. How does he top the success of the Tyson fight? He might need to sign up for a bout with some real risk to keep the momentum going.
In a surprising turn of events, Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, called out Paul. Beterbiev, with a perfect record of 21 wins and 20 knockouts, recently grabbed his fourth and final belt by beating Dmitry Bivol.
"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."
Beterbiev told Seconds Out he wanted to get payback for Tyson. But he quickly changed his tune, saying he'd only fight Paul for a massive payday.
"I think it's not sport. I think it's [a] show … Of course, yes [I'd fight him for 100 million]."
Beterbiev shared these thoughts in an interview where he made it clear he sees fighting as a job, not a passion.
Paul almost fought Canelo recently, but the deal fell through. Canelo chose to sign with Riyadh Season instead. He'll fight William Scull in May, followed by a big match against Terence Crawford four months later.
As for Beterbiev, he's got his hands full with a rematch against Bivol this weekend. It seems unlikely he'll step into the ring with Paul anytime soon.
The Paul-Tyson fight may have been controversial, but it's clear it's still making waves in the boxing world. Whether Paul can keep up the momentum remains to be seen.