Jake Paul has decided he does not fancy a boxing fight against Daniel Dubois – just days after appearing to accept the IBF heavyweight world champion’s challenge.
Paul, 27, has attracted even more attention from the boxing world after beating 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Dubois, who destroyed Anthony Joshua to win his first world title in September, sent Paul a message on Instagram, suggesting he would grant the YouTuber a world title shot.
He was not the first fighter to do so as the terrifying Artur Beterbiev, who became the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion by beating Dmitry Bivol, also challenged him to a fight. Paul ignored the Russian and instead screenshotted ‘Dynamite’s’ private message and posted it on his social media pages, saying he would love an opportunity to face the Brit. A few days later, though, Paul has U-turned on his decision to accept the powerful heavyweight’s challenge.
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In his message to Paul, Dubois said: “Hi Jake. Good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world. This is Daniel Dubois calling you out, let’s get it on.”
On his public story, Paul replied: “Man been boxing for 12 years, has over 100 fights between amateur and pro and fought on my undercard…hahaha. But f— it… I’m going to have Nakisa talk to Frankie Warren and get you in line for the throne. Unlike Artur [Beterbiev], at least you have a few thousand fans.”
Before Dubois’ message, Paul saw a call-out from Beterbiev that said: “@jakepaul what can you do in ring against the current undisputed champion? Just know that I’m always open to any suggestions.”
Dubois called Paul out (
AFP via Getty Images)
With lightning speed, Paul hit back, boasting: “Just seen this… top 5 pound for pound fighter in the world calling me out. Hahahahahaha. 4 years in and I run this sport.”
After Dubois’ intriguing callout, Nakisa Bidarian, who is Paul’s manager, said that a fight with Paul and the Ohio native would not be possible. He told Sky Sports: “When Jake got that DM, he sent it to me and said: ‘How funny is this, how the world has turned’.
“Jake’s feedback to me was I want to do that fight. Not now. But I want to do that fight. To be a world champion at cruiserweight, he wants to do that. The other is to test the limits of expectations. Test the limits of what’s possible.
Many in the boxing world were disgusted by the fight between Paul and Tyson (
Getty Images for Netflix A 2024)
“It isn’t about the money. He’s made lots of money from the time he was 18 years old. It’s really about disruption. It’s really about doing things that make you say: ‘Wow, that really happened.’ That’s what excites us.”
Paul’s victory over Tyson saw his boxing record increase to 11 victories, seven knockouts and one loss. He has been frequently criticised as five of his wins have come against retired UFC fighters: Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley (who he has beaten twice) and Ben Askren.
Meanwhile, Dubois is still waiting to see who his opponent will be, having knocked Joshua out in the fifth round.
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