TAMPA – Jake Paul went more rounds in his last fight than he had in the duration of his entire career prior to that point.
This time around, the content creator-turned-cruiserweight prospect is prepared to get the deepest knockout win of his career—though only to a point.
“Five rounds, no more than that. Actually, under five rounds,” Paul told BoxingScene.com of how long it will take to put away Tyron Woodley in their makeshift rematch this Saturday on Showtime Pay-Per-View from AMALIE Arena in Tampa. “Action speaks louder than words. We’ve talked this thing to death. It’s time to just shut this guy down and shut him the f--- up.”
Paul (4-0, 3KOs) was forced to go the distance for the first time as a pro in his previous fight with Woodley (0-1), claiming an eight-round, split decision win over the former UFC welterweight champion this past August 29. The event served as Paul’s first of a new deal with Showtime—which presented that bout as well as this Saturday’s rematch live on Pay-Per-View—though also marking his first time fighting past the second round.
Despite the split outcome and post-fight insistence of running it back, no such plans were in place until Paul found himself in need of an opponent. England’s Tommy Fury (7-0, 4KOs) was originally scheduled to face Paul in a well-publicized grudge match, only to withdraw due to a reported bronchial chest infection and broken rib.
The development led Paul and his team to revisit a sequel with Woodley, who was keen on avenging his prior loss. It also gives Paul the opportunity to improve on his previous performance.
“I didn’t even hit him with my best punch last time and I still had him hurt,” insists Paul. “This time, no injuries, no excuses. He has a knockout bonus clause in his contract if he can finish me. I’m gonna use that to my advantage and knock him out.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
