JAKE PAUL has been backed to beat Tyron Woodley by Jeff Mayweather, who warned it ‘won’t mean s***’ until the YouTuber beats a real boxer.
The YouTuber is 3-0 in his career and faces his biggest challenge on Sunday, August 29 against ex-UFC champion Woodley.
But Paul – despite being in the infancy of his career – has drawn criticism for fighting another opponent without prior professional boxing experience.
It comes following his knockout wins over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36.
Trainer Mayweather, uncle to the legendary Floyd Jr, is among those calling for Paul to challenge a legitimate boxer while tipping him to beat Woodley.
He said on the The Mayweather Channel: “He ain’t f***ing building your resume when you f***ing just calling out people who don’t even box at all.
“Fight a boxer. One boxer. I think he’s (Woodley) a good opponent, but do I think he has enough time frame to actually win the fight? No, I don’t to be honest.
“I think Jake is getting better, he’s getting better with each fight and you can’t just jump into boxing and all of a sudden, just because you’re a combat sports guy, doesn’t mean that you’re gonna learn.
“I give the edge to Jake. I don’t think he’s going to dominate him and do him like he did with Askren or Nate.
“I don’t think he’s going to do that to him, but I think he’s going to win.”
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Paul, 24, is already targeting mega-fights with UFC stars such as Conor McGregor, 33, Nate Diaz, 36, and Kamaru Usman, 34.
It is a strategy Mayweather – who helped coach KSI to beat Paul’s brother Logan in 2019 – agrees is financially smart.
But he claimed wins over the likes of Woodley, who will make his boxing debut against the social media sensation, demand less praise.
He explained: “It don’t mean s***. Because, like I said, once Jake fights a fighter, then I will give him some real credit.
“Because what I think is this, if you’re going to to keep doing this – and don’t get me wrong, if I was Jake Paul, I’d probably be doing the same thing.
“Because, all he needs to do is fight names. He doesn’t have to fight a legitimate fighter at all, period. He’s still going to be paid top dollar.
“So yes, I understand it and it’s one of those things that it’s kind of good for the sport but it’s also bad for the sport.”
