Many fighters have lengthy pushed again on Jake Paul’s push for legitimacy as knowledgeable boxer.
The following step in Paul’s journey within the ring comes Saturday, June 28, when he throws down with ex-WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
‘The Downside Baby’ hasn’t shied away from expressing daring ambitions, with Paul targeting a boxing world title and victories over all-time greats like Canelo Alvarez.
However the former Disney star nonetheless hasn’t completed sufficient to show himself to many within the boxing realm. Paul’s win over Mike Tyson on Netflix final November didn’t change the minds of his critics.
Many have predicted Paul to fall when matched in opposition to a high-level professional, and the game’s top-ranked feminine fighter as soon as stated she wouldn’t even want two palms to show as a lot.
Claressa Shields stated she may use one hand whereas sparring ‘common Joe’ Jake Paul
Paul’s wins over Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in 2021 did little to legitimize him as a high-level boxer within the eyes of Claressa Shields, who calls herself the GWOAT (biggest lady of all-time) having gained a number of world titles throughout 5 completely different weight courses.
The undefeated Shields is ranked because the pound-for-pound greatest feminine fighter on the earth by each ESPN and The Ring. Unsurprisingly, an abundance of accolades have left the 30-year-old with a excessive stage of self-belief.
That was on show three years in the past when she assessed how a sparring session with Paul would go throughout an interview with Sky Sports.
“I don’t know what world individuals stay in that they assume a person (may beat me) who has not been to the Olympics, who has not fought professionally,” Shields stated. “There are quite a lot of ladies in boxing who may (out-box) males, particularly an everyday joe like Jake Paul!
“I do know it’s an excessive amount of to battle him as a result of it could be too embarrassing (for him), but when I had been to spar Jake, I may use one hand. Simply my jab, I wouldn’t even have to make use of the banger. Simply my jab – I might out-jab, out-hook, and out-uppercut him. I might embarrass him.
“This isn’t a shot at Jake Paul. That is how expert I’m. You’re not as nice a boxer as me,” Shields added. “This isn’t disrespectful. I’m a talented boxer – respect it and understand it.
“Simply because I’m a lady? That is real-life stuff. I field for actual. I’m not a play-fighter.”
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Jake Paul may observe in Claressa Shields’ footsteps with MMA debut in PFL
Whereas Paul and Shields each have their deal with the ring, they did spend current years below the identical MMA banner – the Skilled Fighters League (PFL).
Shields competed 3 times within the PFL, splitting her first two fights earlier than probably ending her transient MMA profession with a victory on the PFL vs. Bellator card in February 2024.
The 2-time Olympic gold medalist has steered this 12 months that with out having ample time to achieve the extent required to develop into a champion within the cage, she gained’t be returning to the all-encompassing sport.
Paul, in the meantime, signed with the PFL firstly of 2023, with the plan to make his debut within the cage that very same 12 months. Over two years later, ‘The Downside Baby’ has but to compete within the sport.
PFL CEO Peter Murray claimed final 12 months that Paul will debut in MMA in 2025.
