Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has expressed solemn concerns about Jake Paul’s upcoming fight with Anthony Joshua. Paul will face the former two-time heavyweight champion in an eight-round professional heavyweight fight on December 19 in Miami. The American has constrained experience competing in boxing’s top division, having defeated Mike Tyson on points last November.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer usually competes at cruiserweight and returned to that weight class in his last outing in June against former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Paul secured the points win that night, improving his professional record to 12-1. In his boxing career so far, the 28-year-old has mainly faced former mixed martial arts fighters such as Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz and Tyron Woodley. The encounter with Joshua represents Paul’s first real challenge in the ring and has sparked widespread concerns for his welfare.
The American’s close friend O’Malley shared his thoughts on the lucrative fight in Florida over the Christmas period.
The UFC star admitted he fears for Paul after witnessing the “Problem Child” fight against Joshua last week. “Did you see the size difference between Anthony (and Jake)? Did you see how f**king huge this guy is? 6’4″, 265cm,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel.
“This fight, as a friend of Jake’s, is terrifying. Getting knocked out by someone like that is life-changing. It doesn’t just change your career path. It can change your life. It can change your mindset. Being knocked out and having a major concussion is terrifying. You’ve got a goddamn brain and he’s ready to go out there and fight. This is absolute madness. It scares me.”
Even though Joshua had to lose weight to meet Paul’s demands and make the competition official, the former champion remains a true heavyweight who insists he is still in great shape. “Problem Child” enters the game in Miami with a much weaker side, but O’Malley believes that even a points loss would be a decent result for the social media star.
“If Jake takes the decision and loses to AJ, I think it will be a victory. It’s a huge victory. If he goes out and fights eight three-minute rounds against Anthony Joshua, it will be a victory,” O’Malley said. “Jake’s got a lot of nuts. It’s crazy and he’s confident, it sounds confident.”
Heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma also expressed his concerns, insisting that Paul “fire his advisors.” He told BBC Sport: “Jake Paul needs to sack his advisers. [The] people who tell him to organize these fights because it’s not good.”
He continued: “Obviously, making money, but at the same time it’s just absurd. I don’t think Jake Paul is bad at boxing, I think he’s good. I like Jake Paul. You see what he’s doing in women’s boxing as well, and I’m not saying he shouldn’t take that fight.”
“I just feel like he has to consider the results. Like, I don’t know, £50m [vs] my health. Cars and watches [vs] I can’t say my name. Is it worth it? And if he wants to fight Anthony Joshua, it’s not my life – go and do it. But personally, if I were Jake Paul’s brother, I would be very worried.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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