Boxing fans have continued to accuse Jake Paul of picking favourable opponents after it was reported he will face UFC legend Anderson Silva next.
For the first time in his short-lived boxing career, Paul will face an opponent with a professional boxing record in Silva. 'The Problem Child' has been criticised for the quality of opponents he's faced having previously fought YouTuber AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson and now-retired MMA champions Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
Forty-seven-year-old Silva retired from the UFC two years ago after spending almost 15 years fighting for the promotion. 'The Spider' is widely considered as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and has picked up two wins in boxing since transitioning to the ring following his UFC career. Silva outpointed former middleweight world titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last June and knocked out fellow UFC legend Tito Ortiz four months later.
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Many fans are unimpressed with Paul's decision to chose Silva as his next opponent, with one writing: "He's picking favourable fights with people twice his age in sports they didn't specialise in. A 25-year-old fighter beating a 47-year-old doesn't mean anything other than nobody is immune to ageing."
Another added: "Lose lose for Jake. Either he wins against a 47-year-old, or he loses against a 47-year-old." A third user slammed Paul for taking on another fighter considerably older than him, writing: "At what point does he take on a current fighter? Either be a boxer or stfu. Enough of the money making stunts. It's getting stale."
Paul was scheduled to fight two professional boxers in August, first being booked against Love Island star Tommy Fury with Hasim Rahman Jr eventually stepping in for the 23-year-old. Both fights were scrapped as Fury was denied entry to the United States and short-notice replacement Rahman Jr refusing to weigh less than 215lb despite the agreed limit being 200lb.
"Can this guy fight an actual boxer instead of over the hill and washed up opponents? He's taking your money with his false statements of being an actual 'professional' fighter. What a sellout," another user added. A final commenter wrote: 47-years-old ladies and gentlemen. We were so close to him taking on an official boxer but with a mega fight with KSI looming, he no longer wants to take the risk."
