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Andreas Hell
It seems there are limits to Jake Paul’s boxing ambitions after all.
The former YouTuber turned award winner will face the toughest test of his boxing career when he steps into the ring as a huge underdog against two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on December 19 in Miami.
But while Paul has fought with experienced and decorated boxers including Joshua, Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis, there is one boxer he has no interest in fighting: David Benavidez.
“There’s a very short list of guys I wouldn’t step in the ring with and Benavidez is on that list,” Paul told ESPN, referring to the undefeated WBC light heavyweight champion.
Paul has cited Benavidez, nicknamed “The Mexican Monster”, as his favorite boxer, but has seen enough to know that Benavidez would be a terrible style matchup at this stage of Paul’s career.
Paul said, “That guy is different. His power, his speed, his cardio, his non-stop punching and constant pressure.” “Your punches mean nothing to him. He has huge forearms that go from below his hips to above his head. You can’t escape his guard.”
Paul has regularly suggested that his “delusional optimism” has allowed him to test himself against a fighter of Joshua’s size and stature. But Paul said he doesn’t see any way to defeat Benavidez. And for that reason, he’ll stay away from calling Benavidez.
Paul said, “You can punch him all you want, but it will have no effect on him.” “Some people are built differently, and Benavidez is one of those people.”
As he prepares for Joshua, one of the most prolific knockout artists in heavyweight boxing, Paul has enlisted the help of heavyweights Jared Anderson and Lawrence Okolie to aid his preparation.
Paul said, “Because of this physically tough fight I had to bring in the veterans.” “I had to get used to being punched by heavier weights while also adding muscle.”
Paul said he faced some challenging training sessions to prepare for the fight, including Okolie giving him a black eye. However, Paul said he learned he could punch.
“I discovered I have a chin,” Paul said. “I also learned in this camp that I am very durable, tough and very courageous. I believe the fight with Joshua has been much tougher than I thought it would be.”
