Jake Paul has shifted his focus away from a potential fight with Conor McGregor and is now aiming for a showdown with UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Paul, who recently secured his tenth boxing victory with a knockout against former UFC fighter Mike Perry, believes Pereira would present a greater challenge.
Despite McGregor’s criticism of Paul’s latest win, the YouTuber-turned-boxer is uninterested in a match with the Irish superstar. Paul expressed his thoughts on his podcast, pointing out McGregor’s inactivity in the ring compared to his own active fight schedule.
“The guy’s on Twitter, the guy’s on yachts but the guy’s not in the ring winning fights like me,” Paul remarked. He suggested that McGregor is unlikely to fight him, partly due to contractual obligations with UFC President Dana White.
“All the talk but he won’t put it on the line. I want a tougher challenge than McGregor. I want Alex Pereira, the light-heavyweight champion,” Paul declared.
Paul emphasized that defeating Pereira would earn him more respect due to their comparable weights. He noted, “I was 212 pounds in the ring, so that’s a 10-pound difference which is common in boxing. Alex Pereira rehydrates to 240 pounds, so I want someone who, when I beat them, there are no excuses.”
Pereira, standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 240 pounds, is a formidable opponent with titles in both kickboxing and UFC. Paul believes that a victory over such a well-regarded fighter would solidify his credibility in the boxing world.
Pereira recently defended his UFC title with a stoppage win over Jiri Prochazka, and he has shown interest in transitioning to boxing. After Paul’s victory over Perry, Pereira hinted at the possibility of facing Paul, potentially following advice from boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
Paul, however, will not be available until 2025 due to his upcoming bout with heavyweight legend Mike Tyson on November 15. This match requires Paul to bulk up to 230 pounds, but he remains open to facing Pereira afterward.
The potential clash between Paul and Pereira promises to be an exciting matchup, showcasing Paul’s ambition to take on increasingly challenging opponents and solidify his position in the boxing world.
