Jake Paul ‘disgrace’ enrages boxing world
Jake Paul has confirmed news the boxing world has dreaded after he entered the ring and faced-off with heavyweight legend Oleksandr Usyk.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jake Paul has made a public call to fight heavyweight legend Olyksandr Usyk in an MMA cage.
Paul on Sunday entered the ring after watching Usyk destroy Daniel Dubois during their battle for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium.
Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Usyk knocked out Dubois in the fifth round after dropping the British fighter twice in the space of one minute as a crowd of 90,000 spectators went berserk.
Paul was one of those spectators, watching from the front row and was on his feet applauding Usyk the moment the fight was stopped by the referee.
As Usyk was celebrating his unified titles in the ring, Paul stepped in and stared him down in a pre-arranged promotional gimmick.
The sight of Paul standing in front of the legendary fighter left many boxing commentators shaking their head.
The concept of Paul fighting for a heavyweight title had plenty venting their frustration on social media — and they no doubt would have been further incensed by Paul’s social media posts that were shared shortly after.
The American posted on Instagram he will fight former heavyweight world champ Anthony Joshua before turning his attention to fight Usyk in an MMA match.
Paul posted on Instagram: “First AJ. Then OU. Book it.”
The YouTuber-turned-boxer had his first professional fight in June when he defeated veteran Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
It shocked many to see Paul positioning himself for a potential fight against the undefeated Ukrainian.
After a barrage of scorn from boxing fans on social media, Paul made it clear his call out was not to fight Usyk in the boxing ring.
“Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time @usykaa on a huge win,” he wrote on X.
“I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world.”
The pair looked each other down for a brief moment before they shook hands and Paul went on his way.
Boxing fans were scathing of the cheap promotional stunt.
One English commentator posted on X: “Letting Jake Paul anywhere near Usyk is an absolute disgrace to the sport”.
One person responded to Paul by posting: “Delusional mate, absolutely delusional”.
One fan wrote: “Letting him in the same ring as Usyk is an insult”.
Paul earlier confirmed he will step into the ring to fight Joshua.
He told DAZN: “Yeh 100 per cent it’s going to happen. We’re going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing.
“It’s not even about it being realistic or not, it’s gonna happen so fasten your seatbelts.
“And when I knock him out I’ll go down in the history books forever.”
Paul and Joshua’s upcoming clash had already been revealed by boxing guru Turki Alalshikh.
He said: “I’m not against what Jake Paul’s doing in boxing, it’s good for boxing to have a young generation.
“I’m against some kinds of fights he does. I’m now thinking him against Joshua. Joshua, if he destroys (Paul), it will be good for me.
“The headache of Jake Paul goes from my mind. If Jake Paul wins, I will know that Joshua is finished and Jake Paul deserves to be ring king and deserves to have a future in boxing.
“I don’t want 50-50. In this situation I want 99-1. Jake Paul’s accepted. Now next week I will talk with Joshua about it.”
— with The Sun
Originally published as Jake Paul ‘disgrace’ enrages boxing world