In search of Jake Paul’s subsequent opponent

Essentially the most anticipated return of Jake Paul towards Hasim Rahman Jr., the son of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, was canceled on Saturday as a result of Rahman’s lack of ability to make the 200-pound weight restrict agreed for the combat.

Rahman (12-1, 6 KOs) has competed at heavyweight all through his skilled profession and final fought at 224 kilos in April. Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) was on the lookout for his first problem towards an actual boxer. He has victories over fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib, former NBA participant Nate Robinson and MMA fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, whom he fought twice, together with in a formidable sixth-round KO victory final December.

So, who ought to Paul combat subsequent? Assuming he nonetheless needs to combat a boxer, he has just a few choices. If he needs to return to his choices earlier than Rahman, former UFC legend Anderson Silva and former boxing middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are viable choices.

However what about aiming larger? The WBC, who final week mentioned that it might rank Paul at cruiserweight with a victory over Rahman, created the bridgerweight division a few years in the past for fighters between 201 and 224 kilos and will sanction a combat towards its champion and Paul.

And there is at all times Conor McGregor…

Mike Coppinger, Ben Child and Michael Rothstein share their ideas.

Return to Tommy Fury

Paul’s subsequent opponent must be the one he was presupposed to combat initially — Tommy Fury.

Fury, in fact, couldn’t travel to the United States for their bout for undisclosed causes. However why does this combat need to occur on this facet of the Atlantic Ocean? Why not in the UK, the place Fury is already a celeb? Or, what about Saudi Arabia or Dubai, the place the Fury household has some well-heeled connections?

Fury is ideal as a result of he serves no main goal in boxing’s larger panorama aside from additional establishing Paul’s credibility for future fights. Whereas he’s technically a professional, Fury is nearer to Paul in expertise than to his half-brother, heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

To maintain the intrigue rolling, Paul has to search out an opponent who’s a step up from earlier challengers moonlighting in boxing. An opponent who’s dangerous and would possibly beat Paul. Anyone who has an precise boxing background can be a giant danger for Paul.

So, everybody concerned ought to discover a strategy to deliver Paul-Fury to fruition. Let’s not overthink the straightforward stuff. — Ben Child

Can Paul go for a present champion?

Let’s not get carried away right here. Sure, the cruiserweight division is broadly thought-about the worst in boxing. And no, we’re not going to acknowledge the WBC’s nonsense bridgerweight division (possibly the extra we ignore it, the faster it disappears).

However even the worst cruiserweight champion would smack Paul foolish. For instance, Ryad Merhy holds a secondary title with the WBA. He has 30 skilled bouts towards precise boxers. Paul hasn’t even confronted one but. Child steps, Jake. — Child

How about Conor McGregor?

This will not be a horrible possibility if we’re being sincere. McGregor ushered within the present period of novelty boxing when he fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Regardless of being an achieved UFC champion, McGregor had no enterprise combating Mayweather, one of many best of all time. It nonetheless occurred. And McGregor seemed horrible. I feel a McGregor-Paul combat can be sloppy and limp till somebody knocks the opposite out. However think about the build-up all the way in which to combat night time. The drama and bars can be on one other degree. The pay-per-view buys can be off the charts. And, it is going to be an absolute circus — the precise setting the place each guys thrive. — Child

Might he problem a former UFC or boxing champion?

Paul insisted his subsequent combat would come towards somebody with real boxing expertise, and each authentic foe, Tommy Fury, and alternative opponent, Hasim Rahman Jr., match the invoice.

With Fury after which Rahman out for Aug. 6, it is truthful to suppose Paul will look elsewhere for a dance associate each time he does return to the ring.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of the Mexican legend, and Anderson Silva had been each rumored to be within the combine for Aug. 6. It would not be a shock to see a kind of two names seize the subsequent Paul payday.

Chavez, long gone his finest days as a 160-pound titleholder, fought Silva in June 2021. The previous UFC champion scored the upset victory through cut up determination.

Silva is an inexperienced boxer and 47, however he seems to take coaching within the ring critically, whereas Chavez does not. Chavez, whose final notable win got here in 2012, would even be undersized vs. Paul, who usually fights at 190 kilos.

Certainly, there are higher choices for Paul if he is trying to make a press release in simply his fifth professional combat. — Mike Coppinger

What about present prospects?

I do know this defies the query, however it’s probably the most correct reply: A fighter who’s a “actual” boxer who few followers have heard of. Let’s all keep in mind that Paul nonetheless has below ten profession fights and is 25 years outdated. Sure, he’s a draw and he brings in some huge cash, however sooner or later, he must combat somebody in his weight class that could be a boxing-first fighter. Ideally, somebody who is not means above his expertise degree.

I do not see the potential for him combating for a championship now. I feel there’s actual potential that it might occur down the highway, however speeding one thing like that, in boxing, can result in unhealthy outcomes.

To me, probably the most intriguing possibility — which could really promote higher than others — doubtless could not occur due to weight differential, and that is Nico Ali Walsh. They each have identify recognition and comparable ranges of expertise. However, Walsh has been weighing round 160 kilos and Paul at 190. That is a bit an excessive amount of of a weight distinction, in my view.

Since we now have to go along with a reputation right here, I will say Muhsin Cason (10-0, 7 KO). He is a fighter. He’s an precise cruiserweight who does not have too many professional fights on his resume. Paul is already conversant in him, contemplating Cason has referred to as him out. Hasim Rahman Jr. even urged Cason as a short-notice alternative. If Paul needs to be challenged, it is perhaps a combat that’s smart to make. — Michael Rothstein