Jake Paul continues to stir the pot in boxing coming off his recent controversial win against Mike Tyson. Some argue that the fight was fixed, while others complain about not getting their money’s worth. There’s even a conspiracy theory that a clause in the contract would punish Tyson financially if he knocked out Paul.
Love him or hate him, Jake Paul is now one of the biggest names in boxing, and he’s carved a niche for himself that blurs the line between spectacle and sport. The bottom line is he puts behinds in seats, which is good for boxing.
The question everyone is asking now is who the YouTube star-turned-pugilist will fight next. Today, let’s look at 5 intriguing potential opponents the celebrity boxer could face.
1) Conor McGregor
Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor has the potential to be one of the biggest fights boxing has seen since Floyd Mayweather fought the latter, regardless of how gimmicky the fight might appear.
At this point, criticism about Paul not being a “real fighter” is null and void. He’s been training like a pro boxer since 2018 when he fought fellow YouTuber Deji Olatunji, and he’s been able to afford quality trainers from day one.
Anyone who has trained in any fighting style for over six years is a force to be reckoned with, regardless of whether you like them or not.
McGregor isn’t a professional boxer, but he looked better than most expected when he fought Mayweather. Conor’s time as a reigning champion in MMA appears to be over, and a fight against Paul is one of the biggest opportunities available to him.
There’s nothing left for McGregor to do in MMA, and his mind hasn’t seemed to be into it ever since he scored a $150 million payday against Floyd. A fight against Paul could be the second-biggest payday in his fighting career.
It’s also a good fight to make on paper. Paul is a competent boxer at this point, but he’s no Terence Crawford. Conor remains one of MMA’s best strikers and showed decent boxing acumen against Mayweather. Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor would be a competitive fight, making it an easy sell with two of the biggest names in combat sports.
2) Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal is another big name in combat sports who is interested in a fight against Paul. He’s even sent a few threats his way.
Masvidal was one of the biggest names in MMA a few years ago due to impressive wins against Darren Till, his backstage rumble with Leon Edwards, and his spectacular knockout of Ben Askren, handing the former welterweight champion his first professional loss.
Masvidal has also shown he can be a considerable draw under the right circumstances. His first fight against Kamaru Usman sold over 1.3 million pay-per-views, almost as much as the 1.6 million Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II brought in.
While Masvidal vs. Paul isn’t as competitive on paper as McGregor vs. Paul could be since Masvidal lost his last boxing match to Diaz, who Paul has a decision win over, it’s still an intriguing matchup. Paul has even indicated he would be willing to face Masvidal inside a cage.
What makes this matchup interesting? For one, the two have exchanged heated words, and Masvidal is a natural-born striker whose entry into combat sports was bare-knuckle boxing matches alongside Kimbo Slice in Miami. Paul hasn’t dealt with an opponent who throws punches with bad intentions like Masvidal.
3) KSI
KSI and Joe Weller are the pioneers of influencer boxing. The two made it clear that YouTubers had a place in boxing when they sold out the Copper Box Arena in London, England, drawing millions to the fight on social media.
KSI has been antagonistic toward Paul since then, and it’s a bit personal for him since Paul handed his younger brother, Deji Olatunji, a TKO loss the first time he stepped inside a ring under the bright lights. Likewise, KSI holds a decision victory over Jake’s older brother, Logan. Clearly, the family drama between these two is endless.
Jake and KSI have colossal followings on social media, so a fight between the two could easily surpass the 1.3 million buys KSI’s first fight with Logan Paul generated, or the 2 million buys from the rematch. These are numbers any boxing promoter would jump at. The event would most definitely dominate social media and sell out any arena.
On top of that, it’s also a competitive matchup, with both men showcasing similar skill levels in their bouts. Both would be undefeated if not for their decision losses to Tommy Fury.
4) Tommy Fury
Paul suffered a split-decision loss to Fury in 2023 and is eager for redemption. Fury appeared to be the more seasoned fighter when the two clashed, but Paul scored the only knockdown of the fight. It was a close contest that could have gone either way, which leaves the door open for a rematch. Neither man could definitively prove they were the better fighter, making a rematch enticing to fight fans.
A matchup with Paul could most definitely be possible, considering the likelihood and the growing anticipation. Fury has only fought once since his showdown with Paul, scoring a decision victory against KSI. But with both Paul and Fury’s recent performances, could a rematch between them truly live up to the hype?
5) Floyd Mayweather
Nothing would make Jake Paul happier than securing a fight against Mayweather. Considering how the retired champion has maintained excellent shape and participated in several exhibition matches in recent years—mainly against influencers like Logan Paul—this matchup seems plausible.
Mayweather vs. Logan Paul sold over a million pay-per-views, despite the no-winner scenario. A fight with Jake Paul could potentially generate even more, given that he’s a more established boxer.
What’s Next for Jake Paul?
Paul’s next opponent will likely be selected based on potential pay-per-view sales and the hype the fight could generate. Only time will tell if it will be another influencer, an aging legend, or a genuine test against a skilled boxer.
Paul has many good options for his next fight and a couple of potential super-fights that could earn him the biggest payday of his career.
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