JAKE PAUL has been warned by Anderson Silva’s boxing coach that he will “pay dearly” if he fights the UFC legend next.
Silva is among the frontrunners being considered for the YouTuber-turned boxer’s return to the ring on August 13.
Jake Paul has been warned he will ‘pay dearly’ if he fights Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva is linked to a fight with Jake Paul
But the Brazilian’s boxing trainer Luiz Carlos Dorea doubts Paul will accept a professionally sanctioned bout.
Dorea told MMA Fighting: “He has to think of an exhibition. If he’s considering an [official] fight, I think he will pay dearly.
“In promoting, it’s all valid. He’s doing his part, using his tongue, but you can’t use your tongue inside the ring.
“You have to use your fists, and it’s a whole other story. Anderson is far better.”
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Silva, 47, has enjoyed a career resurgence in boxing since leaving the UFC in 2020.
He has won three bouts in the ring since, including an upset over former WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35.
His most recent came against MMA lightweight Bruno Machado, 35, on Floyd Mayweather’s most recent undercard.
Paul, 25, reacted by claiming he would beat Silva and Mayweather, 45, in the SAME NIGHT.
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Coach Dorea responded: “You have to laugh, right? Have to laugh. Jake Paul is doing his part, which is to promote.
“It’s obvious there’s no way he can face Mayweather, one of the best boxers of all time, and Anderson, another legend. He never fought a striker.”
Paul has faced criticism of his opponents and record for not yet facing a recognised pro boxer.
He last fought in December in a short-notice rematch against Tyron Woodley, 40, after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out.
He knocked out replacement Woodley, having previously beaten the ex-UFC champ on points in August.
It added to KOs over gamer ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
And while Paul continues to improve in the ring, so does veteran Silva.
Dorea added: “Anderson has always trained boxing when he was fighting MMA. He was always a striker with good boxing and Muay Thai.
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“Now, almost two years later and the three [boxing matches] we’ve done, and training boxing specifically for this, Anderson is evolving a lot.
“He’s more confident in his movement and defence. He had great boxing for MMA, and is putting on a show now. His level is so high.”
