By Samuel Uzo
The world of combat sports is abuzz with the tantalizing possibility of a boxing match between YouTube sensation-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul and former WBC Heavyweight Champion, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder. While the fight has yet to be officially announced, recent comments from Wilder suggest that he is more than open to the big-money showdown.
Francis Ngannou might have sparked the conversation by calling him out, but when I asked Deontay Wilder about a potential big-money fight with Jake Paul, he didn’t hesitate to affirm his interest.
The former WBC heavyweight champion told me that a fight with the YouTuber-turned-boxer would not only happen if offered, but that it would serve as a “reality check” for Paul.
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Wilder’s Stance: “100% Taking It”
In a recent interview, Deontay Wilder was direct and unequivocal when asked about a potential bout with Jake Paul. The former champion, who recently returned to the win column after a two-fight losing streak, stated, “If it came my way of course I’m 100% taking it.”
Wilder’s enthusiasm for the fight is rooted in the significant financial opportunity it presents. He acknowledged Paul’s ability to generate massive paydays and pack arenas, a skill that many traditional boxers, even world champions, rarely achieve. “Some of these guys in their lifetime would never see $50,000, it just doesn’t go like that,” Wilder explained. He sees the matchup as a “true box office spectacle” and a chance for a lucrative payday.
A “Reality Check” for Paul
While Wilder respects Paul’s business acumen and ability to create a “lane” for himself, he also views the fight as a chance to deliver a harsh lesson. Wilder believes that Paul, by choosing his opponents carefully and forgoing the traditional path of boxing, has skipped a crucial step in his career.
“It would be a reality check,” Wilder said, emphasizing that he would give Paul a “real experience” in the ring. The narrative, as Wilder sees it, is that he would be determined to punish Paul for bypassing the brutal and difficult road that most professional boxers must take to reach the top. This desire to “expose the shortcuts” adds a compelling layer of personal motivation to the potential matchup.
The Heavyweight Division’s New Dynamic
The potential fight highlights the evolving landscape of the boxing world, where celebrity status and entertainment value often rival traditional sporting merit. For Deontay Wilder, a fighter who has already headlined some of the biggest heavyweight bouts of the last decade, facing Jake Paul represents not just a chance for a massive payday but also an opportunity to remind fans of the difference between a seasoned, world-class champion and a crossover star.
Paul, who recently defeated Mike Tyson and has a fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis on the horizon, continues to take on increasingly formidable opponents. A fight with Wilder would be a significant step up in class, presenting him with a true heavyweight with devastating one-punch knockout power.
What Comes Next?
While Wilder has made his intentions clear, a formal offer has not yet been presented by Paul’s team. The timing of the fight would likely depend on the outcomes of their respective upcoming bouts. However, the public discussion has been sparked, and for fans who want to see a powerful, seasoned champion test one of boxing’s most polarizing figures, the hope for a Paul vs. Wilder showdown is now very real.
