The IBF heavyweight world champion shocked boxing fans earlier this week when he opted to call out the YouTube star following his win over Mike Tyson
Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois has refused to ruled out a blockbuster showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Earlier this week, the boxing community were left stunned after ‘Dynamite’ called out ‘The Problem Child’ – who defeated Mike Tyson last Friday. Dubois isn’t the only current world champion who has called out the young American. Undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev also fancies his chances against Paul – who turned professional only four years ago.
However, Dubois – who knocked out Anthony Joshua in September – has offered the social media star a shot at his heavyweight title. “Hi Jake,” he wrote in a message on Instagram. “Good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world. This is Daniel Dubois calling you out, let’s get it on.”
The 27-year-old at first only needed just three words to respond, telling Dubois to “get in line,” but later said: “Man been boxing for 12 years, has over 100 fights between amateur and pro and fought on my undercard…hahaha. But f*** it…I’m going to have Nakisa talk to Frankie Warren and get you in line for the throne. Unlike Artur, at least you have a few thousand fans.”
Just days after calling out Paul, Dubois has doubled down on his claims and has revealed that he is serious about fighting the YouTuber. Speaking on the Bricks to Riches podcast, he said: “If Jake wants it with me, he can get it We messaged him, my dad and everyone decided, ‘Yeah, let’s call him out’. Even though it’s just publicity, you never know what can happen in this sport. It’s strange times.”
The interviewer, Nabeel Mussarat, briefly touched on the fight purse between Tyson and Paul – who reportedly earned $20 million and $40 million respectively. Speaking on the purse, Dubois said: “To earn $20 million at his age and just because of his name and what he did in the past. Credit to him. He is a legend in the sport.“ The Brit went on to agree that he expects to earn $40 million if a fight with Paul ever comes to fruition.
When Mussarat stated that ‘Dynamite’ would knock the social media star within the first round, Dubois was quick to nod his head and agree. That said, should the fight ever take place, the 27-year-old revealed he’d take the clash seriously. “I won’t take no one lightly,” he added. “If a man got the chance to become a world champion, if he’s smart, he’ll go to town, go to work and try and be the best version of himself. So, you never take anyone lightly.”
Dubois looks set to return to the ring on February 22. While a rematch with Joshua seems very much unlikely now, former world champion Joseph Parker’s name has been mentioned among his potential opponents. As for Paul, regarding his future plans in the sport, he said: “My boxing path forward: Building MVP (the company will be focused on women & prospects and cultural events in any sport), becoming a world champion, and doing massive events along the way.”
Speaking after the recent win against Tyson, ‘The Problem Child’ admitted he took it easy on the 58-year-old when he realised he wasn’t firing any brutal shots back. “Mike Tyson, this is such an honour,” he said. “He’s the greatest to ever do it; he is an icon. It was an honour to fight him. He was exactly what I thought he would be.
“I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt. I couldn’t really get him to engage me or slip shots and do something super cool or whatever, but I don’t care about what people have to say. They’re always going to have something to say and that it is what it is.”
