Jake Paul's coach Shane Mosley has recalled first meeting the YouTube star in his Hollywood home at the start of his boxing career.
YouTube star Paul teamed up with ex-boxing star BJ Flores in his recent fights including his first career loss against bitter rival Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. Following his split-decision defeat, Paul decided to shake up his team and he has now rekindled his working relationship with boxing legend Mosley.
Previous coach Flores will remain part of the team on an advisory basis, as he looks to regain momentum with a bounce-back win over UFC star Nate Diaz in his upcoming fight on August 5. As the pair prepare for their latest fight, Mosley has revealed their link-up came after he was made aware of Paul's love for boxing during a visit with his children.
"I was one of the first trainers when he first fought AnEson Gib in Miami," Mosley said during an interview with The DAZN Boxing Show. "I thought that when he came to training, 'wow this kid is really trying to be a fighter, he really wants to do this'. I heard about him a little bit through my kids, and we stopped by his house in Hollywood.
"He said he really likes boxing, we just showed up to his house and if you like boxing you know who I am. We started talking, I thought he was a really bright guy, he was about 21-years-old. I said you like boxing, you need to give me a call I have a gym and I can show you how to be a real fighter. Not just a YouTuber playing around, how to be a real fighter.
"I think I convinced him, I showed him how to be a professional fighter and I would have him go down the street to spar with real fighters. I had him in a real boxing environment, BJ Flores was my assistant. I thought BJ Flores at the time should be able to train him on the level of the YouTubers he was fighting."
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Mosley will work with Paul in Puerto Rico having now access to the time to train him permanently, after initially handing the duty to Flores. The 26-year-old will be hoping that he will make necessary adjustments under the guidance of the sporting legend to return to winning ways.
And he believes his upcoming clash with MMA veteran Diaz shows his destiny remains in the sport. He said: "A lot of people probably, at my level, would've just lost and went away or came back and fought someone easy or hid away for a while," Paul said. "I'm doubling down. This is what I'm meant to be doing and I'm destined to do in life.
"And so, they see now, I think, that I'm dedicated even after a loss. I'm not just doing it for the money, I'm not just doing it to win. I'm not just doing it to knock people out. This is what I truly love and I'm passionate about."
