Jake Paul is could target a fight with Mike Tyson, Nate Diaz or Anderson Silva after his clash with Hasim Rahman Jr collapsed.
Paul was set to make his boxing return this weekend against heavyweight star Rahman Jr at Madison Square Garden, but the fight was cancelled after Paul accused his rival of missing their contracted weight limit. He will now be forced to look for another opponent for the second time, after his previous planned meeting with Tommy Fury was also derailed when the Briton was banned from travelling to the US.
The YouTube star has called out a whole host of leading names including Conor McGregor and Canelo Alvarez since making his debut in 2020 but has whittled his shortlist down to three. "I think ideally Mike Tyson would be a potential opponent," Paul said during an interview on the DAZN Boxing Show prior to his fight with Rahman Jr being cancelled.
"We have teased that it could be happening later this year or early next year. Anderson Silva is high on that list and Nate Diaz is also very high on that list so they are probably currently the three options."
Paul has been heavily linked to fighting Tyson since appearing on the undercard of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr when he defeated Nate Robinson. Tyson previously teased a bout with Jake's brother Logan, but reports were downplayed before Tyson later stated he would not return to the ring.
Fresh reports indicated the pair were in talks to stage a bout worth $200million, but the pair later moved to deny the indications being correct. Most recently, Tyson appeared on US TV where he confirmed he would be willing to now enter the ring with Paul providing a deal is agreed before the end of this year after remaining in boxing training.
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The YouTube star has also talked up a bout with UFC legend Silva who has already made the step across to the boxing ring. Paul claimed he assessed Silva's previous exhibition victory over Bruno Machado and is likely to be a realistic option next with the Brazilian currently active in the ring and keen on taking the bout.
Another option could be UFC star Diaz who is understandably keen on settling his rivalry with Paul. The pair have exchanged verbal barbs for several years on social media, with the Stockton native willing to make a switch from the octagon to the squared circle.
Diaz has just one fight against Khamzat Chimaev on September 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas left before his deal expires with the UFC. It is expected Diaz will then be free to negotiate a ring meeting with Paul, and has finally opened up about a potential duel by claiming he will fight anybody after his release.
