Jake Paul has insisted he ‘runs this sport’ after being called out by undisputed light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev, one of the most feared men in boxing.
Paul sealed victory over heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in Dallas on Friday night. The 27-year-old eased to a comprehensive points with over a man 31 years older than him in what was a farcical bout at times with Tyson a shadow of his former destructive self, having retired from the sport in 2005.
A win for Paul extended his record to 11-1 with his list of previous opponents largely made up of former MMA stars and little-known boxers. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023.
The American has long been urged to fight a legitimate boxing opponent. He would certainly have that in light-heavyweight monster Beterbiev.
The Russian holds all the gold in the 175lbs division after his points win over Dmitry Bivol last month. Prior to that extremely close fight, Beterbiev had built an astonishing 100 per cent knockout record, putting his previous 20 opponents to sleep.
Beterbiev wrote on social media after the Tyson fight: ‘What can you do in the ring against the current undisputed champion? Just know that I am always open to suggestions.’
Replying to Beterbiev’s comments on Sunday, Paul wrote: ‘Just seen this….top 5 pound for pound fighter in the world calling me out. Hahahahahaha. 4 years in and I run this sport.’
Paul has also been chasing a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, another of the sport’s pound-for-pound greats.
The Mexican superstar, a four-weight world champion having also ruled as undisputed super-middleweight king, has so far ignored the American’s callouts but Paul is convinced he can entice him into what would be another huge fight.
‘This moment will prove that I’m the face of boxing,’ Paul said earlier this week. ‘The largest attraction, and me vs Canelo at 200lbs for the cruiserweight world title is the biggest fight.
‘It makes so much sense. Canelo’s on his way out, he’s gonna want a payday. And I want to show the world that all the s*** I’ve been talking about beating Canelo is actually true.
‘I will have the biggest upset in the sport of boxing. We will fight to really see who is the face.’