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These are the five fighters Jake Paul should be targeting
The Jake Paul experiment is nowhere close to being finished. After knocking out Ben Askren in a blockbuster pay-per-view, the 24-year-old YouTube star plans to continue his lucrative run as a boxer.
Here are five viable opponents Paul should consider for his next bout.
1. Logan Paul
As barbaric as it sounds, Paul’s older brother Logan is on the table for a future fight. Pitting brother against brother in a sanctioned fight would break the news cycle and kick off an unholy war between the Paul brothers’ massive fan bases.
If Jake were to lose a fight, or is ready to call it quits and cash out in a mega event, a brother vs. brother fight is sure to line both their pockets with gold.
2. Steve Cunningham
There is going to be a point where Paul actually faces a boxer, and it just so happens an ideal candidate was featured on his most recent undercard. Former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham picked apart MMA legend Frank Mir, and would not turn down the Paul payday after spending years of his career in anonymity.
Cunningham is 44-years-old, long removed from his prime, and is a decorated ex-champion who could give Paul a smidgeon of legitimacy.
3. Jorge Masvidal
Though Masvidal was punched to the moon by Kamaru Usman at UFC 261, his striking background makes him a worthy opponent to face Paul in a boxing ring.
Masvidal’s boisterous attitude would turn their press conferences into a circus, and the actual fight might not be half bad as long as he doesn’t show up a flabby mess like Askren. With Masvidal’s MMA prospects thinning out after his latest setback, he could potentially be in line for a Paul payday.
4. Conor McGregor
McGregor is Paul’s white whale. He’s done everything he can to lure McGregor into the ring, and he would be wise to keep the pursuit alive as he may represent McGregor’s best available payday.
We saw McGregor’s stock take a huge hit when Dustin Poirier knocked him out last January, potentially killing a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao, and another loss to Poirier will further whittle his options for the eight-figure paydays he’s hunting for. If Paul can’t keep McGregor’s name out of his mouth, he might get the fight he’s been clamoring for after all.
5. Tommy Fury
Paul has been trading barbs with Tyson Fury’s half-brother, Tommy. The younger Fury is 5-0 with 4 KOs to his name. Truth be told, a Paul vs. Fury bout would be huge in the UK or the UAE, and would be worth watching just to see Tyson clown Paul ahead of fight night.
Though he wouldn’t be considered a world-beater for knocking off Tommy Fury, Paul would end the notion that he’s not a real boxer.
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