Fresh off his victory over Mike Tyson on Netfix’s controversial boxing card, Jake ‘The Problem Child’ Paul remains the talk of the town and is garnering the attention of some massive names.
Add GWOAT Claressa Shields to that list of boxing icons discussing The Problem Child’s accomplishments, although the former world champion remains adamant that Paul would never face someone like her in the ring – and for good reason.
Claressa Shields breaks down Jake Paul’s recent and future boxing career
Speaking via TMZSports earlier today, former world champion boxer turned professional MMA fighter Claressa Shields would argue that much of the hostility being directed at Jake Paul is of his own making.
“They criticize him because of who he picks to fight, I think he has gotten better over the years but that’s why he gets criticized,” stated the consensus GWOAT, acknowledging that when it comes to fighting promotion, anger is a lucrative emotion to touch on.
“If he was fighting Andre Ward or Andre Dirrell [maybe they wouldn’t] … Jake Paul knows how to p*** off a whole community, he knows how to p*** people off like people breaking their TVs and making all these videos saying the fight [vs Tyson] was rigged.”
Whilst Shields vehemently disagrees with the suggestion that the Mike Tyson fight was in any way rigged, she did note that Paul, at times, appeared to pull his punches.
“I’m happy that Mike Tyson got what he wanted and got out of the ring safe – I kind of respect Jake a little bit for not going [full force] – I think he held back towards the end of the rounds.”
Whether you love him or loathe him, there’s no question that Jake Paul is bringing more attention and revenue to the sport – but there is a limit to his success, with Shields noting that she’d make short work of ‘The Problem Child’ if they ever came to blows.
- EXPLAINED: Heavyweight legend was ruled out of Daniel Dubois showdown due to Paul vs. Tyson concerns
“Look, he’s bringing more eyes to the sport and that’s what you need and hopefully everybody who’s involved on that side can keep building from that and also create a real blueprint to where it can be used in generations to come.
“Listen, I don’t think that Jake Paul has the skills to get inside the ring with me or any of the guys at 154lbs and up, ranked one through ten – I don’t think he can pick any guy one through 10 in any other rankings, any other weight, and beat them.”
Jake Paul approaches son of legendary boxer for potential showdown
Just before Shields predicted that whoever Paul decides to fight next will “p***** us all off”, the internet personality had reportedly approached the son of a legendary champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“It’s an option, we’re looking into it, let’s see, this week I have a meeting,” Chavez Jr told TUDN MEX last week, teasing how “I’d be interested in fighting a champion, but fighting Jake Paul, for the fame and the media, would put me in a position to fight against others.
“I’m not looking for it, it’s been presented. It’s not concrete, but let’s see what happens.”
Depressingly, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza shared on X that he would be open to a fight between the 27-year-old and Chavez Jr: “I am not against a Jake Paul vs Julio Casar Chavez Jr for a championship…”