Jake Paul produced a blistering one-punch knockout of Tyron Woodley in their rematch in Florida as the former Disney star further burnished his boxing credentials.
After a bout characterized by frustrating spells of clinching between the two, Paul landed the decisive shot in the sixth round, hammering Woodley out cold with a huge right hand which sent the former UFC champion face-first onto the canvas.
The nature of the win and the opposition it comes against surely makes it the biggest of Paul’s nascent boxing career as the YouTuber moved to 5-0 in the pro ranks.
For ex-UFC welterweight champion Woodley it means conceding bragging rights to Paul yet again, having lost their first bout via a contentious split decision back in August.
This time the ending was far more emphatic as Paul – who was nursing a cut to his forehead and had looked to be tiring in the bout – landed cleanly with a thunderous overhand right with 50 seconds remaining inside the sixth round of the eight scheduled at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
‘Problem Child’ Paul, 24, had made his entrance to the ring in a Union Jack-themed outfit which was a dig at Tommy Fury, the man he should have been facing before the British boxer was forced out of the bout with injury.
Woodley, 39, ended up stepping in to replace Fury and while he will have picked up another tidy pay day for his efforts, he might rue the damage done to his reputation after being sparked out cold by a man many still deem to be an imposter in the pro boxing ranks.
Say what you will, but Paul is a game and committed fighter if nothing else, and one who is capable of packing power in his shots when he does land – as Woodley found out to his cost.
“This is as real as it gets, just like my right hand. I told you, I was going to f**k him up. And I f**ked him up,” Paul crowed in his post-fight speech.
“This guy is a legend and respect him for taking the fight on two weeks’ notice. Tommy Fury is a b***h for pulling out of the fight.
“It was a tough fight. I had blood in my eyes. I had the job done. I was setting the punch up the whole fight. He didn’t see it coming. Like a lumberjack, timber.”
Having seen off a former UFC champion in Woodley, Paul took aim at two MMA icons who had been in attendance in Florida – Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.
“It’s got to be the moment of my life. Look at my year. Four fights, four knockouts. Masvidal and Nate Diaz – you are b*****s for leaving this arena. I will f**k you up too. Anyone, anytime, any place,” added Paul.