The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bad blood boils between Paul, Woodley
If there are as many punches landed this weekend as there were Aug. 26 insults between YouTube celebrity and Westlake native Jake Paul and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, fans should be thoroughly entertained.
Whether or not the bad blood is real — both fighters say it is — is up for debate. What can’t be disputed is the fight that’s fast-approaching.
Showtime boxing is coming to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Aug. 29 for a pay-per-view event that features a bout between Paul and Woodley.
Both are talking a good game leading up to the 190-pound fight set for eight rounds. Following a news conference promoting their fight and five others on the undercard at the Hilton in downtown Cleveland, a minor melee ensued when it was complete. It involved Woodley — shouting from afar — and Woodley’s mother, who had some choice words inches away from a loud-mouth individual from the Paul camp.
Paul emerged from the skirmish off to the side of the ballroom where the news conference was held. He seemed a bit oblivious as to what exactly had ensued. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed. Woodley marched out of the ballroom, and needed a few minutes with his mother to collect himself.
As for Paul, him watching the commotion marked the only time when he wasn’t boasting about himself and flinging insults at his opponent. As outrageous as some of his insults were, his appearance matched. Paul emerged at the news conference shirtless, showing off his numerous tattoos. But that paled in comparison to the bling he wore that could light up in the inside of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Woodley also made it known he wasn’t going quietly into the rest of the afternoon.
A sampling from Woodley, who obviously has no respect for his opponent:
“It’s disgusting how much of a clown you feel you have to be to be recognized. It’s disgusting how much clout people have to chase when you really look at what the word clout means. It’s the appearance of authenticity. It’s the appearance you the real deal.”
And from Paul, on his opponent nicknamed ‘The Chosen One’: “Tyronn Woodley, he really is the chosen one. We chose him to get his (expletive) beat … I’m sending him into retirement. Turning him into a meme.”
The bad blood between Paul and Woodley has been building since the spring. It stems from Paul’s last fight in April, when he knocked out retired MMA fighter Ben Askren in Round 1. In Askren’s corner that night was none other than Woodley.
Before the bout, Paul and Woodley reportedly had an incident in which Woodley was mocked for his lack of experience as a boxer.
After the fight, Woodley called out Paul, who is 3-0 as a boxer.
The 39-year-old Woodley is the former UFC welterweight champion who defended his belt four times. His career UFC record in the octagon is 19-7-1, but this is his venture into the ring. All of which doesn’t matter to Woodley.
“You getting hurt on Sunday,” Woodley told Paul.
The polarizing Paul, 24, is a graduate of Westlake High School. He earned his popularity after launching his YouTube channel known for pranks and controversies in 2014. He reportedly has 20 million subscribers. In his second fight, Paul knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson, but taking on Woodley will likely be his most difficult test in the ring.
That doesn’t seem to worry the ultra-confident Paul.
“People will see, ‘Oh my gosh,’ this kid can fight,” he said. “He’s got skills. He can take a punch. That gas tank is nice. That inside fighting is nice. That body work is nice. That jab is nice. That 1-2 is nice … people are gonna be surprised.”