Jake Paul’s unanimous decision win over 58-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson on Friday night has ignited a frenzy across combat sports. With a victory that broke streaming and attendance records, Paul now finds himself the target of callouts from some of the biggest names in boxing, MMA, and beyond.
Fighters such as Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, and even heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois have expressed interest in facing Paul. The allure is clear: Paul’s massive draw guarantees a lucrative payday for anyone willing to step into the ring with him.
“I’m going to have [promoter] Nakisa [Bidarian] talk to [Frank] Warren,” Paul stated, hinting at a potential clash with Dubois. Meanwhile, Ryan Garcia tweeted about targeting Paul after his own planned exhibition in Japan, while retired stars like Andre Ward and Antonio Tarver have also entered the conversation.
Critics have been quick to call Paul’s win over Tyson a mismatch, given the age and physical disparity. Nevertheless, Paul’s team sees the result as validation of his growing legitimacy in boxing. Even WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has suggested Paul could soon earn a ranking within the organization.
Despite the criticism, Paul seems poised to continue leveraging his popularity to headline mega-events. Whether he takes on a world champion like Dubois, a crossover fight against an MMA star like Francis Ngannou, or entertains the challenge of Canelo Alvarez, the boxing world will be watching closely.
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Image Credit: Sky Sports