JAKE PAUL would have been ‘knocked out cold’ by Tommy Fury, according to a sparring partner who called on the fight to be rescheduled.
Unbeaten 6ft 7in cruiserweight Andrey Mangushev sparred with Fury and heavyweight champion Tyson in the summer.
The 2019 Love Island star was all set to face YouTube sensation Paul this weekend in Florida.
But then Fury was left devastated after he pulled out with a chest infection and broken rib.
Paul will now rematch Tyron Woodley – who he beat in August – but Mangushev wants to see the celebrity grudge match rescheduled.
He told SunSport: “I hope that this fight will happen, I sparred with Tommy, he is a very strong boxer.
“Tommy is a true fighter, he is not some kind of a showman. This fight could have ended really bad for Jake Paul.
“He would have been knocked out cold. Tommy is a very dangerous fighter.”
Paul, 24, is braced for his third consecutive pay-per-view headliner and fourth fight in 13 months, a period where he has no doubt brought eyeballs to the sport.
Mangushev, 23, said: “Jake is a bold person, he deserves a lot of respect. It takes a real man to step in the ring with professional fighters.
“The boxing world should be thankful to him, for attracting so much attention to professional boxing. Boxing is a king of sports.”
In Paul’s first three fights, he beat YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 37.
But his biggest win to date was against Woodley, 39, over eight rounds, the night Fury, 22, beat the American’s sparring partner Anthony Taylor, 32.
It set up the mega-fight and would have been Paul’s first opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
But after Fury’s withdrawal, it has afforded Woodley with a chance of redemption, having failed to get the job done three months ago.
Mangushev predicted: “Woodley is a very experienced fighter, this time around he will most likely change his strategy to be more cautious.
“He will be defending himself better. Even due to the short notice, I don’t believe that we are going to see a knockout in this fight.”
For Fury, he is now set to be sidelined until March and faces missing out on the massive payday and limelight if Paul refuses to ever negotiate with him again.
But Mangushev has backed the former reality TV star to bounce back and fulfil his promise.
He said: “Tommy has a great boxing potential, which will be surely realised by him. He is a part of the great boxing dynasty.
“Tommy is not only strong both physical and mentally, he is also very talented and is always working hard to become a better version of himself.
“Tommy is a very good and smart boxer, he has good physical traits as well as speed, timing and distance feel.
“I believe, that with more fights, he will be gaining more experience and becoming better and better.”
