Boxing promoter and Matchroom executive Eddie Hearn worked with Jake Paul to bring Serrano vs Taylor to Madison Square Garden last year. In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Hearn discussed Paul’s next outing in the squared circle, against UFC legend Anderson Silva, and had a prediction for the outcome of the fight.
Hearn believes that Jake Paul can and will defeat Anderson Silva in the boxing ring, thanks largely to Jake Paul’s youth and strength when compared to the 47-year-old retired mixed martial artist.
Eddie Hearn Backs Jake Paul over Anderson Silva
“I don’t know enough about Anderson Silva – Anderson is [47], but he can box a bit by the sound of things. I just think that Jake’s been a bit unlucky, because he was trying to fight Tommy Fury, he was trying to fight Hasim Rahman Jr., and that would have actually given him the ability to say, ‘Actually, you have to respect me now as a boxer.
To defeat Anderson Silva, while boxing is still a very impressive part of his repertoire, he’s still not a boxer, and he’s 47 years of age. But he’s a tough guy, he has a huge profile, he can box, and I think he’ll be competitive. I don’t think he beats Jake, because I think Jake is young, and I think he can punch a bit, and I’m intrigued to watch, and I like what Jake’s doing. It’s kind of him against the world.”
Although Jake Paul has amassed a 5-0 record as a pro boxer, he has yet to earn the respect of many in the combat sports community. Most of the criticism levelled at Jake Paul has to do with his choice of opponents. In particular, the fact that he has yet to box a professional boxer stands in stark contrast to Paul’s claim that he wants to take the sport of boxing seriously.
Thus far, Paul’s opponents have included a fellow influencer, a basketball player, and the UFC’s Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Hearn acknowledged this, but pointed out that Paul’s career trajectory has seen him face progressively more challenging opponents.
“No one’s trying to do him any favors in boxing. It’s not ‘YouTube boxing’ any more, as far as I’m concerned. Good luck to Jake. I would like to see him come through after this to actually fight some boxers, because I think he can beat some boxers, and his credibility would definitely rise in the sport.”
Do you agree with Eddie Hearn’s prediction? Let us know in the comments.
