YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul has named Sonny Bill Williams as a potential opponent for an upcoming bout in August.
The social media performer, 25, is preparing for his next bout after knocking out former UFC world champion Tyron Woodley in December in his last bout.
Speaking to The Fight podcast with legendary trainer Teddy Atlas, Paul named Williams along with Floyd Mayweather, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and 49-year-old former boxing world champion Oscar De La Hoya as possible rivals.
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When asked who his next opponent could be, Paul said: “Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Tommy Fury, Sonny Williams out of Australia.
“There’s a lot of people on the hit list and some other names that we’re talking to. Just trying to pick the biggest opponent.
“Everyone I’ve fought I’ve carried the promotion, nobody has matched my star power so I’m looking for someone who can match my star power – we might fight in Australia, America or the UAE.
“Oscar, if you’re watching this man, get off the couch and start training because we can make this happen.”
The call-out quickly reached Williams, who responded with an encouraging message on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/1514746978139541507?s=20&t=3rGsridQ7KZI2wPcJOS0kw
A fight with Williams would generate huge interest in Australia, yet Paul fights at cruiserweight (90.7kg) and Williams at heavyweight, with the former All Black weighing in at 109kg for his fight with Barry Hall.
Such a bout could also derail plans for a proposed $4 million fight with fellow former NRL star Paul Gallen. Gallen will take on Victorian southpaw Kris Terzievski on May 11 in his next fight.
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The fact that Paul has called out Williams may accelerate negotiations between their camps, although Paul may end up going for someone with more of a presence in the US fight market.
Paul has also previously called out Conor McGregor as well as fellow UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, however at this stage, De La Hoya seems to be in the box seat, even though such an event will only embolden Paul’s haters even more.
In recent weeks, De La Hoya has spoken glowingly about the former Disney star’s foray into boxing, calling him “the real deal”.
“Let me tell you one thing about Jake Paul, he’s the real deal, I’m going to tell you that,” De La Hoya said.
“With only four or five fights and the way he’s taking it serious, Jake Paul is the real deal.
“And I dare anyone who has boxing experience, who has MMA experience, to call him out because I’ll tell you one thing, this guy can beat a lot of good champions and even maybe great champions.
“So, Jake Paul is taking it serious. This is not a one-off, a two-off, a three-off, no.
“He wants to become a world champion and there’s no other way out of becoming world champion, you have to fight the very best.”
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