YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul agrees with Oscar De La Hoy's prediction that he will become world champion as he gets deeper into his career.
The social media star has had just five professional fights and one white collar bout, and has stopped every opponent that he has faced. But he has yet to face a legitimate boxer, instead opting to take on fellow YouTubers, or top athletes from other sports like wrestling, basketball or MMA.
But that hasn't stopped the legendary boxer and promoter De la Hoya from endorsing him to eventually become a world champion in the sport. The former seven-weight world champion has backed Paul to eventually win gold of his own in a boxing ring, and the YouTuber has concurred with his assessment.
"To hear that means a lot," Paul told TMZ after being informed of de la Hoya's high praise. "But he's right and I've been saying it all along. I sound so cocky, 'he's right!', but it's true man. I beat world champions in the gym and sparring.
"Two years as a professional and I'm already doing that, it's clearly a natural talent that I have, a natural power that I have and I work my a** off. People don't really see that.
"They think I just go in there but I'm day in, day out twice a day, three times a day in the gym working on getting better in the sport. It is awesome to hear that and I'm going to prove that I can beat world champions on the big stage."
De la Hoya made headlines earlier this week when he declared that he sees Paul as a future world champion in the boxing ring. He was in attendance for the YouTuber's bout with Ben Askren last April, and has been an outspoken supporter of Paul's.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, the former fighter said : “Let me tell you one thing about Jake Paul. He’s the real deal. I’m going to tell you that.
Do you agree with Oscar de la Hoya that Jake Paul could become a world champion in boxing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"With only four or five fights, and the way he’s taking it serious, Jake Paul is the real deal. And I dare anyone who has boxing or MMA experience to call him out because this guy can beat a lot of good champions, maybe great champions. He's on to something because he's taking it serious.
"This is not a one-off, two-off, three-off, no. He wants to become a world champion and there's no way out of becoming world champion. You have to fight the very best and he's doing it right!"
First, Paul will need to prove his claims of competing with top boxers inside the ring. He will return in August, and is expected to face a more legitimate boxer as opposed to the celebrities and other athletes he has squared off with to this point.
