Anticipation for the Heavyweight Showdown
As the boxing world eagerly anticipates the heavyweight showdown between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, which is set to air on Netflix this December 19, many skeptics remain doubtful about Paul’s chances. With only 14 bouts under his belt, both amateur and professional, many insiders in the boxing community believe he is unlikely to score an upset against the seasoned former heavyweight champion.
Insights from Shakur Stevenson
WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson recently weighed in on Paul’s potential, having sparred with him in preparation for a fight against another boxing star, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Stevenson’s experience offers insights into Paul’s boxing evolution and his upcoming challenge against Joshua, who is significantly more experienced and skilled.
In an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Stevenson expressed his admiration for Paul’s progress. “My guy J’Leon Love reached out to me, and we set up a sparring session that lasted about six or seven rounds. It’s incredible because I think Jake might be more skilled than people realize. Many underestimate him due to his late entry into boxing, but it’s clear he’s committed to improving. He’s got a solid team around him—great coaches and facilities—and that experience is paying off.”
Stevenson was initially surprised by Paul’s capabilities, remarking, “You wouldn’t expect someone from a YouTube background to know much, but he has a good coach guiding him, and he listens well. His instincts in the ring lean towards avoiding getting hit, and I was genuinely impressed.”
The Challenge Ahead for Jake Paul
Jake Paul, who turned to boxing relatively late at 21, initially trained for a match against fellow YouTuber Deji and has since capitalized on his fame by facing various ex-UFC competitors and previous boxers to build a recognizable portfolio. However, despite taking significant steps in his training and performance, Stevenson’s assessment reveals the stark reality that the gulf in experience—both in boxing skill and physicality—remains a formidable challenge for Paul as he prepares to enter the ring against Joshua.
“AJ is a true boxer, and there’s no way he should allow Jake to win that fight,” Stevenson opined. “Given the discrepancy in size and experience, Joshua should dominate. But if Paul can avoid a knockout and stay composed, he might just do alright. He has shown he can survive the early rounds, but the question remains whether he can last the whole fight.”
Stevenson acknowledged the risks Paul is taking, stating, “He may be in over his head, but you have to respect a guy who started in boxing later and is now taking on such a challenge. It’s a bold move, and at the end of the day, you can only gain respect for stepping into the ring at that level.”
Stevenson’s Upcoming Bout
Meanwhile, Stevenson himself is gearing up for a significant bout of his own against Teofimo Lopez on January 31, as he aims to secure a title in a fourth different weight class. Lopez has sparked controversy recently, leading to investigations over his conduct, but Stevenson believes there is more to him than the headlines suggest.
“I plan to hold him accountable for some of the things he’s said, but I know he has good intentions deep down. Still, he strikes me as a bit unhinged, making him a riskier opponent in the ring.”
Looking ahead, Stevenson is eyeing a potential match against British boxer Conor Benn and has indicated he would be open to moving up another weight class for the bout, pending certain conditions for the fight.
“I think a fight with Benn could definitely happen after I take care of business with Lopez. However, I’d need a rehydration clause in place similar to the one he had for Chris Eubank Jr. in their recent fights, since managing weight can have a huge impact on performance,” Stevenson emphasized.
