Even though he is not really someone who is considered as likable or even an important figure in the combat sports industry by many fans, Jake Paul has established himself as one. The YouTuber-turned-pugilist is still undefeated inside the squared circle and his 5-0 record as a professional has come up in facing non-boxers, including former MMA champions like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. The outspoken Cleveland native, who is never shy from taking shots at the biggest names in the industry, even seen Conor McGregor as a potential future opponent and recently revealed that the former UFC double champ is the reason why Paul became a boxer.
Jake Paul wants to fight Conor McGregor in Ireland
Jake Paul had his eye set on Conor McGregor even before he had his fights against Askren and Woodley. Since knocking out former NBA star Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr in November 2020, Paul has been calling out “The Notorious” for a showdown inside the squared circle.
McGregor, on the other hand, had his sole pro boxing stint against Floyd Mayweather in the iconic fight back in 2017. He is currently on a two-fight losing streak in the UFC, both against Dustin Poirier, and is on recovery from the broken leg he suffered at UFC 264 in July.
While there are plenty of options for Paul for his next fight, “The Problem Child” is still focused on walking into the ring with the Irishman on his home soil, as he is the one who motivated Paul to don the gloves in the first place.
“I want to fight [Conor] McGregor, I will fight him in a boxing ring in Ireland,” Paul stated at a recent press conference in London, “This is partially how the journey [in boxing] started. I made up my mind that I was going to get a fight with McGregor and win it and that is what motivated me to jump into this boxing career.”
“I don’t give a s*** about Conor. I just want to fight him and smack him in the head – in that sense I hope that he can win some fights so that we can actually fight. “But the guy is a grown-a** man, he needs to figure out his life; it seems to be falling apart from what I can tell. That’s clearly one of his many problems – he needs to get in the gym and drink calcium because his bones are f****** breaking,” he added. [H/T Mirror.co.uk]
Highlights:
- Jake Paul says Conor McGregor motivated him to start a career in boxing as he aims to defeat the Irish MMA icon inside the squared circle