Oleksandr Usyk is eager to take on Jake Paul in a fight, but that opportunity may vanish if his own career ends soon. The former undisputed heavyweight champion recently faced off against Paul, aiming to promote a mixed martial arts (MMA) clash. However, Paul is now caught in a significant dispute with Anthony Joshua.
Usyk has expressed concerns that if Paul loses his December 19 bout against Joshua, he may run out of potential opponents. The last two fights between Paul and Joshua had a weight difference of 52 pounds, with Paul also being five inches shorter than Joshua.
Having moved up from cruiserweight to heavyweight, Usyk is well aware of the risks involved in facing much larger fighters. He has endured 24 rounds in two battles with Joshua and managed to become undisputed heavyweight champion twice without defeat. Nevertheless, Jake Paul is a different challenge; Usyk hailed him as possibly the greatest cruiserweight ever, having won undisputed gold before stepping up to heavyweight as a much smaller fighter.
Usyk warned that Joshua, an Olympic champion, could easily overpower Paul, whom he described as a sportsman, YouTuber, and showman. He compared Joshua to a Rolls-Royce and Paul to a Fiat, emphasizing the skill and experience gap. Despite this, Usyk stated his hope for Paul’s survival and expressed a desire to face him in the Octagon.
Paul’s fight experience was limited before turning professional in 2020, with only one prior white-collar bout, while Joshua was already a two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Fan Take: This potential showdown highlights the ongoing clash between traditional boxing greatness and modern crossover celebrities, keeping fans intrigued about the future of combat sports. It could redefine what paths fighters take and who steps onto the biggest stages next.
