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BOXING

Who will Jake Paul fight next? Canelo, McGregor, Masvidal, Diaz...?

YouTube star Jake Paul is now 5-0 in professional boxing after knocking out former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in their rematch in Tampa on Saturday.

Update:
YouTube personality Jake Paul celebrates after knocking out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley during a fight at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on December 18, 2021. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
CHANDAN KHANNAAFP

Jake Paul took his professional boxing record to 5-0 by beating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley for a second time in the pair’s rematch in Tampa on Saturday night.

The YouTube star, who had earned a split-decision win over Woodley in August, claimed the fourth knockout of his career when he floored his 39-year-old opponent with a brutal right-hander in the sixth round at Amalie Arena.

Speaking post-fight, an ecstatic Paul said: "It's got to be the greatest moment of my life. Look at what I just did. Look at the year I just had: unprecedented. One of the most valuable fighters in the sport; four fights, four massive pay-per-views in 13 months.”

What next for Paul after second win over Woodley?

Earlier this year, Paul had indicated he may temporarily step away from boxing in 2022, but the 24-year-old this month appeared to row back on that pledge, telling FightHype he plans to enjoy a holiday but would like to “stay active”.

"I'm definitely going to take a vacation, I haven't been on vacation since I was like 17 years old,” he said. "So I'm going to take some time off and just chill for sure, but I would like to get back into the ring. The best way to be in this sport is to stay active.”

Challenges UFC stars Masvidal and Diaz

In the aftermath of his victory over Woodley in Florida, Paul threw down the gauntlet to UFC fighters Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, who were both in attendance at Amalie Arena, challenging them to free themselves of their current contractual commitments and take him on.

"I've knocked out every single person that I've fought and hey Masvidal and Nate Diaz, y'all are some b****es for leaving this arena,” Paul said. “Because I know you don't want that s***. I'll take out both of y'all next. Just get out of your contract with daddy Dana [White, the UFC president], and I'm going to f*** them up to!

Jake Paul reacts to knocking out Tyron Woodley in the sixth round of their rematch in Tampa on Saturday.
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Jake Paul reacts to knocking out Tyron Woodley in the sixth round of their rematch in Tampa on Saturday.Mike EhrmannAFP

Keen on Canelo clash "three years from now"

Paul has also made plain his desire to take on four-belt super middleweight champion Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, telling Showtime ahead of his Woodley rematch: “I will fight Canelo 100%.” However, he appears to believe he’ll need another couple of years’ boxing experience before he’s ready to fight the Mexican.

In an interview with TMZ this month, Paul said: "I think three years from now, us getting in the ring will A) be massive, and B) three years from now, my skill level will be good enough to make it a serious competition.

"This year, 2021, Canelo will be the No. 1 highest paid boxer. And I will be No. 2. So, what better fight than to put the No. 1 highest paid and the No. 2 highest paid against each other? Because that equals the biggest payday."

McGregor fight "definitely could happen in the next 24 months"

Speaking in November, Paul also said he is out to box against UFC fighter Conor McGregor at some point in the future, telling Bleacher Report he expects to face the Irishman in the next two years. “People were like, ‘Oh that kid’s crazy, McGregor will kill him,’ and now it’s like, it definitely could happen in the next 24 months, 100%,” he said. “It probably will, and I will beat him.”

In August 2017, McGregor made his pro boxing debut against five-division former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr, suffering a technical-knockout defeat to the American.

Fight against brother Logan "on the cards"

Meanwhile, Paul hasn’t ruled out stepping into the ring to face his older brother, fellow internet star-turned-boxer Logan, who lasted all eight rounds of an exhibition bout against Mayweather in June. "It's talked about so much,” Paul said to Showtime. “Who knows if it will happen? It's on the cards.”

Tommy Fury has "had his shot"

One man Paul says he won’t be fighting, however, is Tommy Fury, who was originally due to be his opponent this weekend but pulled out earlier this month, citing a chest infection and a broken rib.

"I don't think a fight between us will ever happen," Paul told Showtime. "I don't want to ever give him the opportunity. He had his shot. I'd like to see him fight 20 more times to even get the same payday that he would have got against me. Sorry, Tommy. It isn't going to happen.”