Jake Paul has labelled Francis Ngannou a "terrible" boxer amid talk of a potential fight.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is currently recovering from the broken jaw he suffered against Anthony Joshua last year but plans to return to the ring this year. He recently signed up former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou to his promotion's debut MMA card in May with the Cameroonian playing a supporting role to Ronda Rousey's cage return.
And after Ngannou called out Paul, the American responded by dismissing his rival's boxing ability. “I wouldn't say there’s a long list [for his next opponent], he told Sky Sports. "I think most recently Francis Ngannou was talking a lot of smack, I think that’s an easy fight for me, I think he’s a terrible boxer. I'll go back up to heavyweight and knock him out like Joshua did, render him unconscious.
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“He knows I lasted longer than him against Joshua, I didn’t get put out. I think he maybe wouldn’t do the fight because I think deep down he wouldn’t want to get embarrassed, so, to me that’s a fun fight on the list. We will see how the jaw continues to heal up," he said. "I'm definitely going to keep on fighting."
Ngannou was knocked out by Joshua in the second round with Paul holding on until the sixth session of his clash with the former heavyweight world champion last December. Paul could also target a rematch with Tommy Fury after losing to Tyson's brother in 2023.
"He wants to prove to the world that he can beat Tommy Fury, Paul's business partner Nakisa Bidarian said recently. "Jake before Joshua had one loss on his record and that was Tommy Fury and I would love for that fight to happen because I think it's a great barometer of how far Jake has come.
"I don't think Fury has developed as much as Jake has over the last three years. Because he hasn't been as focused on boxing. would love for that fight to happen."