27 days ago
Daily Star
Jake Paul has some thinking to do before stepping back into the ring after being narrowly beaten by rival Tommy Fury.
The Love Island star prevailed with a split-decision win in Saudi Arabia, coming out on top in his grudge fight with American Paul.
Paul's two knockout victories over Tyron Woodley and unanimous decision win against UFC great Anderson Silva felt like they were leading up to the bout against Fury. However, with the fight finally over and done with, Daily Star Sport considers eight potential opponents for the Problem Child.
READ MORE: Jake Paul calls fans 'dumb as f***' after being booed during Tommy Fury weigh-in
(Image: Twitter @Carl_Froch)
Did you know Carl Froch retired after beating George Groves in front of 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium? If you didn't, we must ask, have you had any connection to the outside world at all? In all seriousness, Froch's favourite catch phrase proves he can sell out stadiums and would therefore be a huge draw if he was to take on Paul. He may have been retired for eight years now, but the four-time world super middleweight champion has stayed in very good shape and would need no encouragement if Paul ever expressed an interest in fighting him.
In fact, Froch exclusively told Daily Star Sport he would be willing to fight both Paul and his brother Logan in a tag team boxing duel. We think we can rule that one out, but Froch appears to have got under Paul’s skin. This one can be filed in the unlikely draw - then again, who predicted Paul to step into the ring with Silva?
Who do you want to see Jake Paul fight next? Let us know in the comments section below
(Image: Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Another fighter who has told Daily Star Sport he wants to take on Paul in the boxing ring. Perry has not fought since he overcame Michael ‘Venom’ Page at BKFC London in the summer.
However, Perry was flown over to Saudi Arabia as a replacement for Fury, if the former Love Island star pulled out of the fight at the last minute. Paul knows Perry well and has even sparred with the former UFC ace in the past.
(Image: Getty Images)
KSI’s focus is strictly on any future bout with Paul. Having already dealt with Jake in the past, the British YouTuber has repeatedly called out Paul, whether it is after his victories in Misfits boxing or in various interviews and podcasts.
Despite the fact he has mainly been fighting in Misfits, KSI does hold a PBA boxing licence which technically makes him a professional boxer. Also, he has the backing of Wasserman boxing’s heavyweight promoters Kalle and Nisse Sauerland. If you think Fury vs Paul was bitter, a rivalry with KSI would be on another level.
(Image: Zuffa LLC/Getty)
This could potentially be the most likely next opponent as Paul has previously said he wants to take on the former UFC champion Nate Diaz after Fury - the opportunity could be beckoning. “I think they are ready,” Paul told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. "I’m getting through Sunday and we’re gonna line that one up ASAP."
“I think that’s next. I think that’s what the fans want, and that’s who I want. There’s been a lot of back and forth, we’ve said our stuff, but it’s time to get down to business.”
Hasim Rahman Jr was initially drafted in as a late replacement when Fury pulled out of their fight in Madison Square Garden in August 2022. However, a matter of days before their bout, the bout was cancelled after Rahman Jr allegedly refused to cut to a renegotiated weight limit of 205lbs. Rahman denied Paul’s accusation and instead insisted the cancellation came from Paul’s side.
Similarly to Fury, this abandonment will have only added extra animosity between the pair. Also, Rahman Jr is a professional boxer with a record of 12 victories and two defeats. If Paul wants to amass more credibility as a professional boxer, than a bout against the son of iconic boxer Hasim Rahman would certainly hit the spot.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Going from Fury to Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed middleweight champion, would be quite the jump for Paul. However, the Problem Child backs himself and has repeatedly called out the Mexican who has only lost to Dimitrii Bivol and Floyd Mayweather in his career.
Alvarez is targeting a boxing return in May and is eying a warmup fight ahead of a possible rematch with Bivol. Again, this bout can be filed under the unlikely category, next to Froch. However, if Paul is willing to wait and Alvarez fails to overcome Bivol this year, then anything is possible.
(Image: Zuffa LLC)
Jake Paul recently told Piers Morgan, Conor McGregor is “too scared” to fight him. Judging by the call-out and taunt, Paul would evidently relish a bout with the Notorious. One would imagine the pair would have quite the sledging contests in interviews, podcasts, and potential press conferences.
Also, McGregor is yet to fight since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in the summer of 2021. The former UFC champion has been touted to make his return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler in the second half of 2023. However, with Paul also repeatedly flouting an interest in crossing over into MMA, this cannot be ruled out completely.
(Image: Str/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Surely, this chapter is not over. When you consider the pair's respective boxing records, this bout should have been the headline of a low-key fight, or a bout low down on an undercard. But with their entrepreneurial instincts, fierce animosity, and almost faultless build-up, this fight has attracted the attention of hardcore boxing fans, casuals, and those who may have never watched the sport before.
There will be fighters with much better records who will not gross anything close to the number of PPVs and views this fight has. Why would the pair not consider another rematch?
They've already admitted they're both open to triggering the clause in the contract.
"If he wants the rematch he can bring it on," Fury said post-fight.
READ NEXT:
Continue reading...
