Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, beating the former UFC champion for the second time in four months.
The knockout came in the sixth round of the pair’s boxing rematch in Tampa, Florida, as YouTube star Paul outdid his split-decision victory over Woodley from August, remaining undefeated in the process. Woodley, 39, was immediately more active than he was in the pair’s first fight, but Paul took the centre of the ring, worked his jab well and threw smart hooks to the body. Paul’s best moments came via double-jab set-ups, but the 24-year-old faced some adversity as he was cut on his forehead by an accidental elbow and Woodley landed two heavy right hands in quick succession – to the excitement of the Tampa crowd.
Woodley received a warning in the fourth round for throwing Paul to the canvas to break a clinch, perhaps out of frustration as the internet sensation neutralised more and more entries by grabbing hold of the wrestling specialist. Indeed, there was less and less boxing and increasingly more grappling on display as the fight passed its halfway mark, with those in attendance audibly growing frustrated by the lack of action. That all changed with 48 seconds left in the sixth round, however, as Paul took out Woodley with a sudden, vicious overhand right. Woodley fell face-first to the mat as the bout was waved off, Paul improving his professional boxing record to 5-0.
Follow all the undercard results, analysis and reaction as “The Problem Child” beat the former UFC champion at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida:
The show in Tampa is close to getting underway. Here’s a reminder of the undercard, we’ll get round to it soon but Amanda Serrano’s defence of her world championship title is a huge fight, and could set up a sensational meeting with Katie Taylor next year.
Amanda Serrano (c) vs. Miriam Gutierrez, lightweights (10 rounds)
Deron Williams vs. Frank Gore, heavyweights (four round exhibition)
Liam Paro vs. Yomar Alamo, junior welterweights (10 rounds)
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 02:11
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley has said he could complete a trilogy with Jake Paul if he beats the YouTube star tonight.
Should Woodley overcome Paul this time, a third meeting between the Americans is on the cards, according to the 39-year-old.
“Yes, there is a rematch clause in there,” Woodley told TMZ.
“After I knock you out, Mr Betting Man, are you gonna run? Are you gonna wanna try to fight someone else, or are you gonna come get this work?”
The former UFC champion will fight the YouTube star for a second time this month – and potentially a third in the future
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 02:00
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Jake Paul’s sparring partner Jake Bostwick has said the YouTube star may regret including a “crazy clause” in his rematch contract with Tyron Woodley.
Paul beat former UFC champion Woodley via split decision in August to set up a bout with former Love Island star Tommy Fury – half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson.
The Briton was forced to withdraw from his scheduled clash with Paul, however, due to a broken rib and chest infection, allowing Woodley to step in on two weeks’ notice to fight his fellow American.
“Jake is offering Tyron a $500,000 bonus to knock him out," Bostwick told Betway Insider.
"That’s a crazy clause. He could be dangling that carrot in front of Tyron to get him to come out recklessly, and that also adds pressure on Tyron.
“If Tyron comes out swinging he could get caught – we know Jake has power, don’t sleep on Jake’s power.
“I think Woodley will come out with a fire under his a** and try to bang, but he’s got to be smart. It will be a different kind of fight this time with Woodley taking this fight on short notice.”
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:50
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Jake Paul has said his rematch with Tyron Woodley will more closely resemble a “bank robbery” than a boxing match.
The YouTube star defeated former UFC champion Woodley via split decision in August, setting up a highly-anticipated fight with Tommy Fury – half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson. But Fury had to withdraw from the bout this month due to a broken rib and chest infection, allowing Woodley to claim his rematch.
Woodley, 39, previously tried to secure a second fight with 24-year-old Paul by getting an “I love Jake,” tattoo – per a bet between the pair – but only now will the American get a second chance at beating his compatriot.
Paul said at a pre-fight press conference this week: “They’re like, ‘Oh, you got Tyron Woodley now.’ No problem.
“That’s why I’ve got the ski mask on; they’re going to give me a big bag to go and beat the guy I already beat?
The YouTube star outpointed the former UFC champion in August in their first in-ring encounter
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:40
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
And so that long and winding road brings up to here, to Tampa Bay, Florida, for the rematch between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley.
The Independent’s combat sports correspondent Alex Pattle is on hand with the big pre-fight preview and why, away from the celebrity and criticism, Jake Paul fights do hold genuine sporting merit.
Detractors have been calling for Paul to fight an ‘actual boxer’, but an inevitable KO of the YouTube star would not be as fun as they think
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:30
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
The turnaround from Tommy Fury’s withdrawal to the rematch between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley’s rematch getting confirmed was lightening fast.
The 39-year-old agreed to step in with two weeks to go until the fight in Florida - with Paul revealing a lucrative incentive would be on offer for the former UFC champion.
“When my team woke me up on Friday to tell me Tommy Fumbles was pulling out, I told them I’ll fight anyone on December 18th,” Paul said at the time.
“Unlike the Fury’s, Tyron actually has some balls, is stepping in, and contractually he is getting an extra $500,000 if he knocks me out.
“First time I outboxed him. This time I’m gonna punish him and leave no doubt.”
Woodley has alleged that Paul ran away from the original rematch in order to fight Fury. “Jake Paul is a b***h. He didn’t want to fight,” he said.
“Like, ‘You did it too late.’ No, you just didn’t want to fight, and they gave you a way out, and you took it and ran. It’s like a little kid in a playground, ‘Na, na, na, na, na,’ when they know they didn’t really win.
“Most people that watched the fight felt like I won the fight. I really didn’t walk away a loser in the fight. My ceiling doesn’t look different right now.”
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley is on as Tommy Fury pulls out
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:20
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
There was a further twist in the road, however. After a huge build-up to the fight which featured a distasteful press conference between the fighters and their respective camps, the bout was cancelled less than two weeks before the starting bell.
The news that Tommy Fury had suffered an injury during camp meant the Love Island star was forced to withdraw.
“I can’t do anything else apart from get my body right as soon as possible and look for a new fight date with Jake Paul,” Fury, 22, said.
“There is no other fight that I want out there, that’s the fight that I want next. I’m just gonna recover now and hopefully we can work out a new date for next year.
“Obviously everyone is gonna have their own opinions about the situation and what they think, but there is nothing – when it comes down to it – I can do about being medically unfit to fight.”
Fury was forced to withdraw from the pair’s scheduled clash in December due to a broken rib and chest infection
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:10
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Immediately after the fight in Cleveland, Paul said he would give Woodley a rematch on one condition: that he would get an ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattoo.
Woodley shook Paul’s hand and accepted the terms - but there was another contender in town on that Ohio night.
The pressure was building for Paul to face a fighter with an actual boxing background, after he first four opponents all made their debuts against him.
And on that night, Love Island star Tommy Fury, the brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, was making his US debut as he picked up a points victory over Anthony Taylor.
Fury called out Paul following his victory, and the pair clashed later that night following Paul’s win against Woodley.
Soon, amid much hype, a blockbuster clash between the two undefeated celebrity pro boxers was confirmed.
Woodley still went ahead and got his ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattoo, but the 24-year-old had already moved on, with a December 18 date set.
Jamie Braidwood19 December 2021 01:00
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
In response to Paul knocking out Ben Askren, a fight between the YouTube star and former UFC champion Woodley was soon forged.
It represented another step up for Paul, given Woodley’s history in the UFC, but it was to be the American’s professional debut in boxing.
At the age of 39 and having lost his last four UFC fights, it was clear that Woodley was past the peak of his powers, however.
Still, the former welterweight king gave Paul a mid-fight scare as the bout went the eight-round distance in Cleveland, Paul’s home town.
Paul was awarded the victory on points to move to 4-0 in professional boxing and although a rematch looked on the cards, the story was about to take a different turn...
As Jake Paul prepares to make his fifth professional boxing appearance, it’s worth taking a moment to pause and remember just the YouTube star has made it to this point, as well as how his rematch with Tyron Woodley came about.
Paul, a popular but controversial content creator who made his name on Vine, arrived onto the emerging scene of celebrity fights when he took on YouTuber AnEsonGib in January 2020.
The 24-year-old recorded a knockout on his boxing debut, and repeated the trick when he stopped ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
Soon, Paul was challenged to face an opponent with a background in combat sports, but he also knocked out former MMA professional Ben Askren earlier this year - a result that made many, including Woodley, sit up and take notice.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments