Stephen A. Smith says YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul "can’t get away with lying anymore" in a damning video following his latest win inside the squared circle.
The 24-year-old American currently holds a professional record of 5-0-0 following victories over Ali Eson Gib, Nate Robinson, Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
He secured another win against Woodley on Saturday night when he dropped the former UFC champion with a huge right hand in the sixth, but popular TV personality Smith isn't exactly convinced.
The 54-year-old feels it's time for Paul to fight better competition after recording wins against the likes of Robinson and Askren.
Advert
In the segment on ESPN show First Take, Smith also said Paul calling out multiple world champion Canelo Alvarez following his win against Woodley was "a joke" and "an insult" because he hasn't earned the right to do so.
“Jake Paul can’t get away with lying anymore,” says Smith.
“He has been training with boxers and professional boxing trainers for more than four years, from my understanding.
“You knocked out a basketball player, you knocked out a guy in Ben Askren who was a UFC fighter. He was a wrestler.
Advert
“Tyron Woodley had the power to knock you out; sure, and he’s knocked people out before. But he’s a wrestler.
Smith continued: “You’re not fighting boxers. And somewhere along the way, people gotta stop walking around, laughing and acting like it’s alright for you to be beating up on cats that don’t box, while you’re calling yourself a boxer.”
Paul sent a message to pound-for-pound king Alvarez after picking up his fifth professional victory. He wrote on Twitter: "I hope you're training."
Advert
“That’s a joke,” Smith added. “It’s an insult. Here’s the deal – Canelo’s the best in the world. He’ll knock Jake Paul out in one round. He’ll take him out.
“But more importantly, Jake Paul hasn’t earned the right to be in the ring with somebody as serious, and as lethal, and as accomplished as Canelo.”
Despite ripping into Paul during the show, Smith said he does respect the YouTuber for doing "a beautiful thing for the sport of boxing."
Advert
“On one hand, Jake Paul is someone we should applaud,” he continued.
“I like Jake Paul. I think he’s a charismatic personality. I like the fact he has managed to take things away from boxing promoters and shown the boxing world that you don’t have to be held hostage by promoters in order to get fights and make some money.
“I think that is a beautiful thing for the sport of boxing. Promoters have messed up the sport of boxing, they hold up fights... you’ve got to wait years for them.
“That’s problematic. Anything that enables us to see the fights we want to see and see a boxer get fights, that’s great.”
Thoughts on Stephen A. Smith's assessment of Jake Paul after his latest win?
Advert
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Jake Paul, Stephen A Smith, Boxing, Tyron Woodley
