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Dana White admits Jake Paul impressed him in his early boxing fights
08/06/2021 Comments Off on Dana White admits Jake Paul impressed him in his early boxing fights
UFC president Dana White has admitted that YouTube star Jake Paul 'impressed him' during his victory over former UFC star Ben Askren.
The pair have been in a feud since Paul's career in boxing began, where he has taken on the likes of basketball player Nate Robinson, fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and will now face Tyrone Woodley in his next bout.
Paul has publicly called out White specifically for payment of his fighters in the UFC, stating they 'deserve to be paid for putting their lives on the line'.
And despite the verbal exchanges, White has now admitted that Paul impressed him when he stopped Askren with a 'one-punch' knockout in the most recent fight in his boxing career.
"Yes I was impressed, he knocked Askren out with one f****** punch, even though I feel like Askren should have done better than he did," White said on the FULL SEND PODCAST.
"I agree 100% that he is working hard and trying to make money, but he has to start fighting some boxers and I would imagine in the gym he has fought actual boxers.
"And now Woodley, they aren't the same weight class but Woodley is a real guy and he is a wrestler but he can certainly punch.
"It is going to be interesting, but let's not forget he hasn't won a fight in three f****** years, and he is 40 years old."
Paul has been subject to feuds with many other athletes in mixed martial-arts and boxing in recent months, renewing a feud with UFC star Conor McGregor and claiming that 'negotiations are underway' for the pair to face-off.
He has called out pound-for-pound boxing king Canelo Alvarez, reinforcing his previous desire to become world champion in the next three years.
And White continued by heaping criticism on the YouTube star believing that fans and media will 'get bored of him' after his 'short shelf life' is over.
"I don't hate the kid. Is he f****** annoying? Yeah, he's annoying. He's out there trying to make that money, and his shelf life is very f****** short," White continued.
"The schtick is getting old. I think for him to get the media back, he's gonna have to fight somebody.
"They're tired of the schtick. 'Hey, it's me, I weigh 190, and I want to fight these guys that weigh 170, 155, and they're wrestling, and they're 40 f*cking years old, and they haven't won a fight in three f*cking years'.
"If he wants to be taken seriously now by the real media, I think he needs to fight a real fight."
Paul has since responded to White's comments with a 'retirement' jibe as he looks to ridicule the president on social media, after recently restarting his 'trash talk' with Tommy Fury as he is set to make an appearance on the American's undercard.
His brother Logan is reportedly set to continue his own boxing career, as he has been in talks to face UFC legend Anderson Silva in Abu Dhabi in his latest move, and has also called out legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson.
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