How Much Is Ben Askren Getting Paid To Fight Paul

Jake Paul has compared himself to boxing icons Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali as he prepares to take another step up in his professional career.

The YouTube star started fighting in 2018, turning professional last year, and will face Tommy Fury in his fifth bout on December 18; his first opponent with a professional record.

Fury is unbeaten at 7-0, facing mostly journeymen, while Paul first fought a fellow social media influencer and then stars from other sports.

And Paul has said that between Fury and his last opponent, former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, he is taking on tougher tests than any other top boxer at this stage of his career.

"It was my first real test that I passed," Paul said at a press conference in Tampa yesterday. "A UFC Champion who dominated the UFC with his big overhand right.

"He hit me with a shot in the fourth round that was nothing. I ate it very easily and kept moving.

"I found a way to win and passed my first test in my fourth professional fight."

Jake Paul has compared himself to some boxing icons (Image: Getty Images)

And Paul believes that wins over the likes of Woodley are enough to set him on the way to being compared with boxing greats like Ali, Tyson or Floyd Mayweather.

His argument is that, generally, fighters will take on a much lower standard of opponent earlier in their career as they build up their records before taking on tougher tests later in their careers.

Paul is unable to fight lesser-known names on undercards of other fighters due to his star power and the money his fights command.

"Nobody from Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson to Floyd Mayweather was testing themselves as much as I was in my fourth fight," he continued.

"I learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of and performing under pressure.

"I look forward to bringing that experience to my next fight."

The main critique of Paul's professional career thus far is the lack of boxing experience of his opponents.

His debut came against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, who had competed in two white collar bouts prior to taking on Paul, but clearly was on a much lower level.

Is Jake Paul going too far by comparing himself to the greats of boxing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

He then faced basketball player Nate Robinson, who hadn't laced up a pair of gloves prior to signing on to fight Paul, who he viciously knocked out in the second round.

Paul did take a step up to face former MMA champion and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren in his next bout this year, but Askren was infamous for his poor striking during his prime as a fighter.

Woodley was a particularly tough test last time out, and fought to a split decision with the YouTuber, and Fury will be a considerable step up again on December 18.

"With every fight, I'm giving the people what they want," Paul continued. "What they wanted was for me to fight a real boxer.

"That's what everybody kept saying. So here is a real boxer who is the same height, same age, same reach, a better record than me and who has been boxing his entire life.

"His brother is the heavyweight champion of the world. He has a legendary name, he has the following, he has the star power. It's the perfect fight."