The former UFC champion is set to make beaucoup bucks in his first foray into professional boxing.
If nothing else, it’s clear that Jake Paul’s pro boxing career carries some serious cash with it. The YouTuber turned fighter has attracted a range of unlikely opponents to face off against him in the ring, for what would normally be considered the lower end of boxing’s competitive spectrum.
But Paul, alongside his brother, have turned their carnival-grade pugilism into a major attraction, off the back of their massive social media presences and a host of celebrity guests and musical acts that have filled out their Triller and Matchroom events. That surprising success has made both men much sought after opponents. With Logan Paul taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. this weekend in Miami, FL. And the recent news that Jake Paul will be boxing former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
Woodley vs. Paul is reportedly set to take place on August 28th, and will be a pro bout, contested at 190 lbs. Speaking recently to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Woodley explained his motivations for taking the fight.
“Easiest fight of my career & biggest purse of my career all in one night. Basically, they brought me in to take out the trash. Can’t wait to shut this b*tch up. This is getting done for the culture, the whole MMA/boxing community, to rid this guy of combat sports.”
– Woodley
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 1, 2021
Woodley reportedly made close to $3 million for his first title defense, a draw to Stephen Thompson in the co-main event of Conor McGregor’s lightweight title winning bout against Eddie Alvarez. No word yet on exactly what the purse will be for his bout against Paul, but having recently fought out his UFC contract it seems like a payday of this magnitude was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to pass up.
Paul is fresh off a first round KO of longtime Roufusport training partner and former UFC welterweight Ben Askren. Woodley and Paul had a brief interaction as Paul was warming up before the Askren bout, seemingly setting the stage for this fight.
Paul has made no secret that his longterm goal is a boxing match against UFC superstar Conor McGregor. While a series of boxing matches against MMA fighters seems like a great way to prep for the bout, unless McGregor wants to get out from under his UFC contract, that fight seems unlikely to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, however, it seems Paul will have no shortage of fighters looking to take him on in the ring, if only for the money they stand to make in the process.