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Boxing

07th Dec 2020

Jorge Masvidal thinks Jake Paul should fight Yoel Romero

UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal has suggested a potential boxing match between former UFC star Yoel Romero - and YouTube star Jake Paul

Alex Roberts

Romero is a free agent since leaving the UFC

Jorge Masvidal has suggested a potential boxing match between former UFC star Yoel Romero – and YouTube star Jake Paul.

Romero is a free agent since leaving the UFC, but writing on Twitter, Masvidal said his next bout should occur in the boxing ring.

It all started when Jake Paul spoke to ESPN, calling out MMA fighters for a potential clash. Romero replied to ESPN’s video with a boxing GIF.

UFC welterweight Masvidal then took it upon himself to suggest the two should meet in the ring.

Yoel Romero last set foot in the UFC Octagon when he lost to Israel Adesanya at UFC 248. Should he take Masvidal and Paul up on the offer, it will be the first time he’s boxed professionally, but his athletic history is impressive.

Prior to joining the UFC, Romero was a world class wrestler. He began competing in the 1990s, and went on to represent Cuba at Olympic and World Championship level.

Romero and Paul roughly weigh the same, both sitting between 185-190 pounds (84 and 85 kilograms respectively). But that’s really where the comparisons end.

YouTuber Jake Paul recently got the better of ex-basketball player Nate Robinson in the boxing ring. This victory has led to a whole host of potential opponents being lined up for the 23-year-old – including Conor McGregor.

Jake Paul officially called out McGregor recently.

Many believe Paul versus McGregor would be a far more competitive bout than the Irishman’s boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather.

However, when speaking to JOE, WBC Silver lightweight champion Ryan Garcia went as far as to bet $100,000 that McGregor would not knock Paul out in the ring.

Ahead of his January 2nd clash with Luke Campbell, Garcia said McGregor’s fight with Floyd Mayweather didn’t convince him the Irishman could beat the YouTube sensation.

“I understand that it was against Floyd Mayweather, but your punches didn’t even look good,” Garcia said.

“When you were throwing them, they didn’t have no torque on them, they didn’t have no snap on them – they didn’t have anything on them.”

Garcia questioned whether any improvements McGregor makes would be enough to boost his boxing game.

“He steps into the ring with anybody good, he’s not gonna win – he’s just not.

“With him and Jake Paul, if he brings the same fight he brought to Floyd against Jake Paul – that’s more competitive.”