Social media star Jake Paul faced his toughest test to date in former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
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Social media star Jake Paul was forced to fight past the second round for the first time in his young career on Sunday night, managing to edge out a split decision victory over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in Cleveland. It wasn’t the highlight-reel performance fans have come to expect from Paul fights. However, it may have been even more valuable for the still-undefeated Ohio native.
.@TWooodley tags Paul in round 4 ?#PaulWoodley pic.twitter.com/8j9Gnh9jJD
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) August 30, 2021
Paul is now 4-0 in his pro career. He may have finally found a worthy rival against whom he will have to face a second time to settle the score. That is, it seems, as long as Woodley has Paul’s name tattooed on his body to secure the big payday that comes with a rematch. That’s just one of the odd twists and turns from an interesting night in the ring at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Jake and Logan Paul are not particularly likeable, especially for those of an age where the concept of “influencers” and “social media superstars” carries little weight. That said, Jake deserves some credit for truly taking his boxing career seriously and attempting to grow as a fighter.
Paul faced actual struggles in the ring on Sunday night. Something far more valuable than anything we’ve seen in the first three fights of his career. Paul got hit clean and when he landed, his opponent didn’t crumble to the canvas in a heap, forcing Paul to deal with fatigue. To his credit, he handled those complications, found his second wind and arguably won every round down the stretch.
Jake Paul walks to the ring decked out in Cleveland gear ?
(via @BTSportBoxing)pic.twitter.com/mdwHNpD0WC
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 30, 2021
All these positives are unlikely to change anyone’s mind on Jake Paul as a fighter. Still, Paul had to truly answer the kind of questions professional fighters are asked and, at least for one night, he managed to come up with enough right answers.
Many of the problems that plagued Woodley’s career, even in his best days, were on display against Paul. He was often too passive, too reliant on looking for one big punch and spent much of the fight failing to properly cut off the ring to fully utilize his pressure. Still, he got on the big stage and took the big opportunity, and gave Paul a fight.
Round 2 anyone? ??#PaulWoodley pic.twitter.com/xmMfQhAqz4
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) August 30, 2021
He did enough to give a solid account of himself as a fighter. Having to beg for a rematch is likely not a prideful moment for Woodley. Nor is being forced to agree to living up to his end of a bet that will see Woodley getting “I love Jake Paul” tattooed on his body but if the end result is another big payday. Woodley did enough to deserve the opportunity.
