Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom believes Jake Paul should forget about a rematch with Tommy Fury – and instead focus on a grudge match collision with Youtube rival KSI.
This past Sunday in Saudi Arabia, Paul suffered the first defeat of his career, as he dropped an eight round split decision to Fury, who is the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Despite scoring a knockdown in the eighth and final round, Paul had trouble dealing with the boxing style of Fury, who moved up from light heavyweight to take the cruiserweight fight.
Paul has the option of exercising an immediate rematch clause, which Fury is more than willing to embrace.
A rematch, at this point, is the biggest financial opportunity for both men.
However, Hearn believes a clash between Paul and KSI is even bigger.
KSI holds a close decision win over older brother Logan Paul.
Fury (9-0, 4 KOs) was the first boxer that Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) had ever faced in the squared circle. Paul’s past victories were largely against older MMA veterans.
In the opinion of Hearn, Paul is still very much a novice and will lose against any fighter with a shred of boxing ability.
“The rematch, I know people will watch it, but we’ve seen what they are, not very good… Fight KSI, it’s absolutely massive. Because the reality is any time you fight anyone with any ability, you will get beat,” Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show.
“I do respect Jake Paul and I respect him even more after last night. I mean look, he can’t fight, he’s never gonna be a world champion… What you had was two not very good fighters who were quite evenly matched.”