Jake Paul Targets Canelo in 3 Years, Says McGregor Needs Me More Than I Need Him

Jake Paul has big dreams when it comes to his boxing career, and Tyron Woodley is just the beginning.

“[Woodley is my] toughest [opponent] by far and that’s exactly what I want,” Paul said at a press conference on Tuesday to promote his boxing match against the former UFC champion. “I want to continue to increase my opponent’s skill level. I want to challenge myself. This is a legitimate knockout artist. He was boxing while I was on Disney Channel. He’s been boxing probably four or five times as long as me.”

Thus far, Paul is 3-0 in the Sweet Science with his most notable victory coming in April, when he scored a first-round knockout of former Bellator and One Championship title holder Ben Askren. Askren was a decorated wrestler but a below average striker at best — even by MMA standards. Woodley, on the basis of KO wins over the likes of Robbie Lawler, Dong Hyun Kim, Josh Koscheck and Jay Hieron, among others, represents a step up in that regard.

Eventually, Paul wants to take on boxing’s best and brightest, and he sees Woodley as an important experience in that journey — even if he refused to say his opponent’s first name properly at Tuesday’s presser.

“I love it. I haven’t been hit in three fights. That’s a fact. I haven’t been hit in the face. As a professional boxer that’s sort of unheard of,” Paul said “I just want to add some experience. I want to go after Canelo [Alvarez] in three years. I want to be a world champion.

“If I’m just fighting guys who can’t hit me, how am I gonna get better in the ring? ‘Tyrone’s’ a perfect person to maybe get me to the third round for the first time ever.”

Paul also addressed his desire to face Conor McGregor, who remains the UFC’s biggest draw despite suffering a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 this past Saturday. After that bout, Paul offered McGregor $23 for a hypothetical matchup. More seriously, Paul believes that a fight with the Irish star is closer to becoming a reality than ever before.

“I think it could happen. I think the funny thing about this journey is I’ve predicted everything that has happened thus far,” Paul said. “Eighteen months ago when I said I want to fight Conor, people laughed at me. Now I’m laughing at Conor with a broken ankle sitting there in the Octagon, and he needs Jake Paul< more than I need him.

“My offer to Conor is $23. If we ever fought, I would knock those fake-ass teeth right out of his f—-ing mouth. Dustin Poirier defeated this man. Dustin Poirier is an amazing fighter, don’t get me wrong. I actually became a fan of his over the weekend. But he’s 5-9, 155 pounds. I’m 6-1, 200. And so Conor McGregor would not stand a chance.”