Let’s be brutally honest: as an MMA site, we don’t cover a whole lot of boxing. That’s no disrespect to the sweet science, it’s just not what we do. Whether or not you’re a boxing fan, however, it’s clear Jake Paul’s career to this point has been against brutal competition. An out-classed fellow social media “influencer,” an out-of-his-depth NBA star, and a past-his-prime Ben Askren make up the totality of Paul’s resume. In other words, a non-athlete, and two athletes who were anything but boxers.
Tyron Woodley is a different story, as a former UFC champion with legitimate power in his hands. Still, he’s no more a boxer than Paul is, and his base was and always has been his wrestling. So when it comes to Paul vs. Woodley, keep your expectations low.
That said, there are very real stakes for Jake Paul in this match. Any loss, especially a knockout, would be a serious blow to his drawing power. Combat sports isn’t Youtube or Vine, where a dull video is instantly forgotten with the next upload. No matter how rabid his fanbase, a loss for Paul would be a considerable setback. A decision might see him invoke his rematch clause, but being dragged into deep waters a second time would be just as damaging.
And a Paul win? While “The Chose One” might be seen as a bigger threat than Nate Robinson or Ben Askren, Paul still needs to, you know, box a boxer. Which could be set up if both he and Tommy Fury (an actual boxer, and brother of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury) win big. Fury opens up the televised undercard Sunday.
Also on the card Sunday was another mixed martial artist. One who happened to be a legitimate boxing champ. That was Amanda Serrano, who would be defending her WBC, WBO, and IBO titles against Yamileth Mercado in the co-main event.
The Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley card goes down Sunday, August 29, airing live on Showtime in the U.S.
Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley Results:
Jake Paul def. Tyron Woodley by split decision (77-75, 75-77, 78-74)
Amanda Serrano def. Yamileth Mercado by unanimous decision (97-93, 98-92, 99-91)
Daniel Dubois def. Joe Cusumano by TKO, Round 1, 2:10
Montana Love def. Ivan Baranchyk by TKO (corner stoppage), Round 7, 3:00
Tommy Fury defeats Anthony Taylor by unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Preliminary Card
Charles Conwell def. Juan Carlos Rubio by TKO (stoppage), Round 3, 2:49
