IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois knows his Jake Paul callout is unprecedented, but believes there are more pros than cons in pursuing the fight.
Daniel Dubois called out Jake Paul following the latter’s lopsided win over 58-year-old Mike Tyson last weekend. While Dubois’ callout was largely respectful, Paul accepted it in a fiery response, mocking Dubois’ record and previous placement on one of his undercards.
Dubois is fresh off his knockout win over Anthony Joshua in September, and could potentially face the UK star in an immediate rematch. But, talks between Dubois and Joshua’s teams have stalled in recent weeks, making the IBF heavyweight champion available to other pursuits.
Paul’s fight against Tyson was his first at heavyweight in his professional boxing career, but he could opt to stay at the weight class permanently for his next boxing fights. He’s competed as a cruiserweight for the majority of his young boxing tenure.
Many mocked Dubois on social media after calling out Paul instead of another top heavyweight. But, Dubois feels a fight with Paul would make boxing history.
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Daniel Dubois calls Jake Paul knockout ‘a historical moment’
In a recent sitdown on the Bricks to Riches podcast, Dubois doubled down on his Paul callout.
“If Jake wants it with me, he can get it too,” Dubois said. “We messaged him, my dad, and everyone decided, ‘Yeah, let’s call him out!’…it would be a historical moment, wouldn’t it? It’s strange times. I won’t take no one lightly, if the man got a chance to become a world champion, he’ll really gut it down and go to work, try to be the best version of himself.”
Paul has bounced back nicely since suffering his first career defeat to Tommy Fury last year. He’s won five consecutive fights since falling to Fury by split decision, earning wins over the likes of Nate Diaz, Ryan Bourland, and Andre August.
Daniel Dubois would alleviate Jake Paul’s career criticisms
Critics often point out Paul’s below-average strength of schedule in the boxing ring, opting to face more former MMA standouts than veteran boxers. Since the Fury fight, he’s taken more risks in his most recent bookings, including in his most recent matchup against Tyson.
Dubois’ willingness to defend the IBF heavyweight championship against Paul is commendable, and would easily be the toughest test of Paul’s career. But, it would also be an extremely risky proposition should Paul catch him and knock him out.
Before finishing Joshua, Dubois won back-to-back fights after a knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Since the Usyk fight, he’s shown vast improvements in all areas of his repertoire.
Dubois isn’t the only major name to call out Paul in recent years. Canelo Alvarez, arguably the sport’s biggest superstar, has previously said he’d be excited to face Paul in the ring.
While Dubois vs. Paul isn’t likely next on each fighter’s radar, it’s a possibility for 2025. Time will tell if the heavyweight clash will come to fruition before each fighter hangs up the gloves.