Evander Holyfield explains why Jake Paul is fighting after training YouTube star
Boxing great Evander Holyfield has been impressed with Jake Paul's early success but thinks his fighting career is motivated by 'ego'.
Youtube sensation Paul is now 3-0 in his boxing career after brutally knocking out former UFC welterweight Ben Askren inside one round last month.
Heavyweight legend and two-time champion Holyfield was pictured training Paul in the build up to the Askren fight and was in the Youtuber's corner for the heavily-anticipated bout in Atalanta.
Holyfield, 58, has not fought since 2011 but has insisted he would be willing to step into the ring with the controversial star if the price was right.
"Jake Paul being a guy who didn’t come through amateurs, he is someone who fights now and does it as a hobby," he told The Sun.
"He has a little bit more weight behind how to do things because people like him are doing it for the fun of it.
"They are not fighting in an association which is being operated by a union such as the WBC, IBF.
"The thing is it’s about ego what he’s doing. People he wants to fight, if people agree to fight him, they know he’s got all these followers.
"And if he believes he can beat me, and he gave me enough money, oh, yes, I’d get in the ring with him. And I’d show people what would happen."
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Paul has also beaten fellow Youtube star "AnEsonGib' and former NBA Basketball star by KO in his boxing career.
The 24-year-old is a divisive figure among fighting fans and is yet to face a professional boxer.
But Holyfield believes Paul is bringing more eyes to boxing and his profile is benefitting his contenders in the ring.
"He’s a popular guy, and he said, 'Hey, if they let me do it my way, there’s no rules or regulations, I’m a guy who brings in a lot of attention'," he added.
"He obviously is making other people a lot of money, that’s the reason he’s fighting. He’s not fighting for nothing.
"It’s something that draws people in, so he’s challenging pro fighters who have an ego, obviously people who feel they can beat Jake.
"But when they get in there they cannot beat him."
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