Jake Paul knocked Tyron Woodley out cold in the sixth round of their rematch in Tampa on Saturday night.
After a drab six rounds, Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) dramatically ended proceedings, connecting with a devastating right hand to the chin of Woodley (0-2), who dropped instantly to the canvas face first, before rising following medical attention.
YouTube sensation, Paul edged Woodley by split decision in August and granted the ex-UFC welterweight champion a rematch a fortnight ago after Tommy Fury withdrew from their scheduled clash through illness and a broken rib.
The Cleveland native mocked his British rival during his ring walk, with a Union Jack emblazoned on his outfit and a message engraved stating, “Hey Tommy, wish you could’ve been here but watching from a TV is cool too.”
Both men promised a knockout in the build-up, although in truth the contest lacked a whole deal of action with plenty of clinching, especially during a cagey opener in which Paul edged.
The pair opened up slightly more in the second round with ‘The Problem Child’ shading it once again, landing with a right hand to the body and to the head in the best of the limited action.
The 24-year-old, who was rocked by his rival in their last fight, was soon in a minor crisis again after a clash of heads opened a severe gash on his forehead with blood dripping down his face.
Woodley had his first moments of success landing two hard right hands, although Paul responded with an uppercut of his own.
Paul’s corner went to work on his cut at the end of the round and although ‘The Chosen One’ landed with an uppercut in the fourth, just like the first bout he wasn’t busy enough and unable to capitalise on his rival’s vulnerable position, wrestling him to the canvas in a bizarre moment during the round.
WHAT A SHOT. @jakepaul KOs Woodley in round 6 😳#PaulWoodley pic.twitter.com/oTV3xeNtfg
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) December 19, 2021
The fifth round was desperately lacking in meaningful action, prompting boos from the crowd inside the Amalie Arena and the sixth appeared to be following the same pattern, before Paul ended the fight in emphatic fashion.
Woodley had both hands in a high guard, but Paul broke through with a stunning right hand which left the 39-year-old out cold on the canvas, with the referee calling off the contest immediately, as the Missouri man received medical attention.
Paul extended his undefeated record to five straight victories with four knockouts, having beaten AnEsonGib on debut, Nate Robinson, Ben Askren and now Woodley twice, proceeding to call for showdowns with UFC stars, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz during his post-fight interview with SHOWTIME.
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Serrano closes in on Taylor clash
Amanda Serrano closed in on a mouthwatering showdown with undisputed lightweight champion, Katie Taylor after comfortably beating Miriam Gutierrez (14-2, 5 KOs) over ten rounds.
Seven-weight world champion, Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KOs) ran out a clear winner with scores of 99-90, 99-91 and 100-90 reflective of her dominance throughout.
.@Serranosisters didn’t come to play 😤#PaulWoodley pic.twitter.com/0IWZ0TQxcX
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) December 19, 2021
Talks have been continuing between Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (Serrano’s promotional team) and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing (Taylor’s promotional team) for a number of months with a view to make the fight next.
Remaining Undercard
Elsewhere, Australian super lightweight, Liam Paro (22-0, 13 KOs) continued his charge towards a world title shot with a split decision win over Yomar Alamo (20-1-1, 12 KOs).
Paro, who is ranked at three by both the WBO and IBF behind undisputed champion, Josh Taylor climbed off the canvas in the opening round to run out victorious on the cards by margins of 94-95, 95-94 and 96-93.
J’Leon Love (25-3-1, 13 KOs) returned for the first time since a second round stoppage defeat to David Benavidez in March 2019 to beat Marcus Oliveira (28-6-1, 22 KOs) by unanimous decision over eight rounds in their cruiserweight meeting.
Anthony Taylor (2-3, 1 KO), who lost to Tommy Fury on the undercard of the first clash between Paul and Woodley suffered defeat to former MMA rival, Chris Avila (1-1) by majority decision.
At super welterweight, Jeovanny Estela (6-0, 2 KOs) extended his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Rollins (5-3-1, 4 KOs).
In a crossover exhibition bout, former NBA player, Deron Williams overcame former NFL player, Frank Gore by split decision.
