Boxing fans have heaped praise on Jake Paul after his sensational knockout win over Tyron Woodley, while urging him to take on a professional boxer in his next fight.
Paul sent Woodley crashing to the canvas in the sixth round of their fight on Sunday (AEDT) and the former UFC star lay motionless for several moments before being attended to by medics.
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The YouTuber’s second win over Woodley was far more convincing, ensuring he remains undefeated in his professional boxing career, taking his record to 5-0.
Fans lauded Paul’s punching power and said his ability to knock Woodley out cold proved he has genuine credentials as a boxer.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani described the brutal knockout blow as “pure insanity”.
“That was legit scary for Woodley,” he said.
“He was down for a while. And even when he stood up he was out of it. And then his corner told him what happened and he kept saying “no, no, no.”
“Had no idea. Pure insanity. What a shot.”
Boxing writer Dan Raphael called Paul’s KO an “obliteration”.
Australian lightweight world champion George Kambosos tweeted: “That was NASTY!!”
But while Paul’s knockout punch earned him plenty of plaudits, many viewers lamented the slow start to the fight, which saw both fighters reluctant to go on the attack, preferring to resort to defensive clinches.
The fight was largely uneventful until the final blow, with the pace slowing right down before Paul ended the bout with the brutal KO.
MMA editor Nick Baldwin labelled the fight prior to the KO “incredibly bad and boring”.
Paul has won two of his five fights via knockout — against Woodley and former NBA player Nate Robinson.
Fans noted Paul is improving with every fight but declared he won’t garner respect in the boxing world until he takes on a professional boxer in the ring.
He may be 5-0 in his short career so far but the problem with that stat is the 24-year-old has not faced a pro boxer, casting doubt over the quality of his victories.
Paul has has fought YouTuber AnEsonGib, a former basketball player in Robinson, former MMA fighter Ben Askren and Woodley — an-ex UFC fighter — twice.
Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg tweeted: “Jake Paul has real talent. But it’s time for him to fight a boxer.”
ESPN’s Porter Larsen argued Paul is yet to fight a high-calibre opponent and went as far to say he hasn’t contested a professional bout in career to date.
“Looking like a better boxer every bout … but let’s be very clear,” Larsen tweeted.
“Jake Paul is 5-0 vs a 40 year old retired NBA player, a YouTuber, a 37 year old retired wrestler, and a 40 year old retired MMA fighter.”
“Zero pro bouts. Zero.”
NFL star Robert Griffin III added: “Y’all better stop playing with Jake Paul.
“If you not a boxer don’t get in the ring.”
However, it seems unlikely Paul will buck his trend of fighting stars of sports other than boxing as he continues to rack up the paychecks for his efforts in the squared circle.
After demolishing Woodley, he said he was willing to fight “anyone, anywhere, anytime” and didn’t miss the chance to call out UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz.
“(Jorge) Masvidal and Nate Diaz, you all are some b****es for leaving this arena,” Paul said.
“Because I know you don’t want that s**t.“
I’ll take out both of y’all next. Just get out of your contract with Daddy Dana (UFC boss Dana White) and I’m going to f*** them up, too.”
