Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Jake Paul laughs off UFC pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman claim ahead of potential boxing bout

Jake Paul has claimed that he would easily defeat UFC champion Kamaru Usman if the two ever fought in the boxing ring and has laughed off the idea that the pound-for-pound number one is worth the money that he's looking to get.

Usman was last in the ring in November when he defeated bitter rival Colby Covington. The Nigerian is widely considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC - and one of the greatest ever fighters in the promotion company's history. Usman previously called out Paul, after the YouTuber-turned-boxer openly mocked UFC fighters on numerous occasions.

Paul has already defeated two MMA greats in Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in the boxing ring, and is looking to get back in the ring in August. But Usman believes that he isn't the major draw he claims to be, and that he would need massive money to agree to a fight.

ALSO READ: Tommy Fury put on notice as Jake Paul confirms boxing return with date set for next fight

The social media star said during an appearance on The Journey podcast : "Usman's not worth $100m, he's like a $3-5million type of guy who's owned by Dana. Whenever he gets let out of the contract, let's make it happen, easy money. I already embarrassed Dana's company by taking out Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley and I don't think he wants that. It would be too much of a risk for him to let one of his fighters lose to me."

Usman has also thrown few jibes Paul's way, after the YouTuber turned boxer had a disappointing night financially, with only 65,000 buying the PPV. In Usman's last fight, over 700,000 people in the United States alone bought the event - with hundreds of thousands in the UK watching the event with their BT Sport subscription.

Usman had previously indicated that Paul's massive social media following over around 60million isn't equating to PPV buys.

Speaking to NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, he said: “These guys, they making a lot of noise. That’s good. They got the YouTubers, and they got the new generation, these new kids involved and watching them. That’s fine.

Earlier this year, TMZ Paul offered Usman a fight, before mocking him for visiting Disney World with his daughter. Speaking to TMZ, Paul was asked what would happen if he fought Usman and replied: "He’s light work. I respect Canelo Alvarez, but as far as Kamaru Usman getting into a boxing ring, it’s light work. Look at what I did to Tyron (Woodley). In boxing it’s different, I would make light work of him."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.