Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson (Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion, has backtracked on his previous challenge to after the YouTuber’s victory over . Initially, Beterbiev had taunted Paul on , asking, “Jake Paul, what can you do in ring against the current undisputed champion? ” and stating, “Just know that I’m always open to any suggestions.”
However, despite being one of the top pound-for-pound fighters and fresh from a close win over Dmitry Bivol, Beterbiev has softened his stance. In a recent , he expressed his initial desire to avenge Tyson, one of his boxing heroes, but then admitted, “In boxing, for a long time I have had my favourite boxers and they are Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. And Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson and it’s my first reaction that I want to pay him back. But after a couple of days, it is good, I don’t want to fight with him. If he wants to then yes but I don’t think he wants to fight me… I think I’d show him boxing.”
Paul had responded to the call-out with amusement, posting, “Just seen this….top 5 pound for pound fighter in the world calling me out. Hahahahahaha. 4 years in and I run this sport.” Now, it seems Beterbiev is content to leave the potential bout as a hypothetical scenario unless Paul expresses a genuine interest. Despite the buzz of a rare bout, the notion Paul might enter the ring with Russian phenom Beterbiev is far-fetched. The reigning king is deep into talks about defending his crown against Bivol in an eagerly anticipated rematch slated for next year.
The improbable match-up isn’t the only call-out dangling before Paul; British powerhouse Daniel Dubois, who dispatched Anthony Joshua in a stunning September showdown, has thrown down the gauntlet on social media, challenging the influencer-turned-boxer to vie for the real heavyweight championship. “Hi Jake,” Dubois teased in an taunt, “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.”
Dubois wasn’t just making waves for clout—he’s sincere about squaring off with Paul. During an appearance on the Bricks to Riches podcast, he laid it out: “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.”
Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol (Image: Getty)
He went on to underscore his no-joke approach: “I won’t take no one lightly. 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.” It seems Paul’s next opponent may have been revealed. IShowSpeed, a social media influencer, has claimed he can defeat ‘The Problem Child’ and has even received an eight-figure offer from Paul’s co-promoter Nakisa Bidarian.
IShowSpeed stated: “If I have six months, all I need is six months [to train for a fight]. If I have six months of training, I’m beating any monster in this world,” and “I feel like I can beat Jake Paul in a fight. Look, I respect his work ethic, but when I watch him box, he doesn’t look fluent. I feel like I could really get him. When you watch it, you see flaws in his game.”
Paul responded to IShowSpeed’s comments, saying: “Speed knows better. My guy was just playing for sure.” Bidarian then offered IShowSpeed a life-changing deal, stating: “Cool. Tell him I have $10million for him right now,” and “Sign this week. If he beats Jake he gets a $10million bonus. Put your signature where you’re clout is.” IShowSpeed later added: “I will fight Jake Paul in 2025. It will probably be near like GTA 6. I feel like I could be Jake Paul though. We will fight.”