Jake Paul makes shock comparison between himself and Muhammad Ali during new Canelo Alvarez call-out
Jake Paul has made a bizarre comparison between himself and Muhammad Ali.
The YouTube star will next face heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in his twelfth professional fight, as he continues his boxing career which has received a mixed reception.
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Paul has come into widespread criticism for his opponent selection, given Tyson is now 58-years-old and is way beyond the peak of his powers.
But he believes he is over-criticised, and has compared himself to arguably the greatest boxer of all time Ali.
"At the end of the day, people are always going to have something to say," he said at a launch press conference for his fight with Tyson.
"It's because of who I am. I proved everyone wrong. Reminder: the most hated and most criticised boxer in the sport of boxing before they loved them was Muhammad Ali.
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"So I'm the anti-hero, and people will love me soon enough once they realise what I've done for this sport and who I truly am.
"But it doesn't bother me at the end of the day, because when you're at the top, people are clawing to rip you down.
"And that's just the way the game goes."
He went on to add his plan to face pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez to become a surprise boxing world champion.
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“I'm still on the path to become world champion," he added.
"There's a lot of s*** talkers out there, a lot of big names who want to fight me.
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“I still want Canelo Alvarez, and I want to go on the path to world championship and that's what I'm here to do.
“And I will make it happen. And when it happens, people are going to go, ‘God damn that kid did something we didn't.’"
Ali was criticised for his flamboyant style and brash-talking personality throughout his career, but won the world over and became one of the most popular athletes in history.
Jake Paul reveals his boxing Mount Rushmore ahead of Mike Tyson fight which includes Floyd Mayweather, Muhammad Ali and Marvin Hagler
He let his hands do the talking in the ring, and achieved it all in the ring before retirement, including undisputed champion status.
Paul has some way to go to match his achievements, and has only fought three boxers so far who have any pedigree in the squared circle.
The 'Problem Child' has always been ambitious and has keen to be a disruptor in the sport, while generating huge interest and earning big on his fight nights.
A fight with Alvarez has always been an ambitious target he has held, insisting previously that it would be the pinnacle of his career.
Paul does possess a world ranking, but would need to be fast-tracked to get anywhere near the gifted 168lbs champion.
The Mexican star has insisted his focus is currently on his own path, but refused to rule out meeting the social media star in the future.
Paul would be a huge underdog, and would pull off one of sport's biggest upsets if he is to climb to world title level and pick up a belt from Alvarez.
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