Jake Paul fights makes his fourth professional outing on Sunday night when he faces Tyron Woodley at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK and SHOWTIME pay-per-view in the USA.
Controversial YouTuber-turned professional boxer, Paul (3-0, 3 KOs) yet again marches his hype train into town, and the YouTuber and now pro boxer, takes on former UFC welterweight champion Woodley, who is making his debut under Queensberry rules.
This one is set for eight at cruiserweight. Paul took care of another UFC fighter in Ben Askren last time out inside a round, and has only fought fellow debutants in his contest thus far, with his other two opponents being a fellow YouTuber in AneEsonGib, and former Basketball player, Nate Robinson, winning both by stoppage.
Woodley could be a different prospect, but he is 39-years-old, and lost his four fights inside the octagon.
Prediction: This could literally go a number of ways, but will likely end in a Paul win by stoppage, to set up a meeting with Tommy Fury.
Dubois make USA debut
Daniel Dubois has his second contest under new trainer Shane McGuigan, and he meets Virginia-based 33-year-old, Joe Cusumano over a scheduled ten rounds at heavyweight.
Dubois (16-1, 15 KOs) was on a fast track to the top after 15 quick wins, 14 by knockout, until his world was shaken up by Joe Joyce in November last year.
The 23-year-old started as a heavy favourite to defeat the 2016 Olympic Silver medallist, but he found himself systematically broken down by the Putney man, until he couldn’t take any more damage to his eye, and he was counted out in the tenth round after taking a knee, losing his British and Commonwealth titles in the process.
The rebuild was a gauge of just how much that loss had affected Dubois, but he rebounded in style, knocking out Bogdan Dinu in two rounds to win the interim WBA bauble in June.
He now gains Stateside exposure in Cleveland, and Cusumano (19-3, 17 KOs) looks a perfect opponent to look good against.
The home fighter hasn’t been stopped in three previous defeats, with his most recent reverse coming in August 2019, an eight round loss to Steve Vukosa, where he was dropped in the third round.
Cusumano was last out in November 2020, scoring a sixth round knockout of Gregory Corbin.
Prediction: Dubois will want to announce himself in style, and Cusumano looks tailor-made for him. After a feeling out first, Dubois should put together the power punches to win in around two or three frames.
Fury makes USA debut
Tommy Fury is on a collision course with the brash Paul, should the two be victorious.
Fury (6-0, 4 KOs) faces Anthony Taylor (0-1) in a six round cruiserweight attraction here.
This one is a crossover clash in itself, with Fury largely known for being a contestant on British reality show, Love Island, and Taylor more known to the MMA arena than the boxing one.
Fury has displayed power against limited opposition, but ‘TNT’ was taken the distance in his last bout, a four round points win against Jordan Grant in June.
Taylor’s only pro outing was all the way back in 2017, losing a four round split decision to Donte Stubbs.
Prediction: Fury should close the show inside two rounds.
Serrano defends world titles
There is world title action thankfully on the bill. Amanda Serrano defends her WBC, WBO and IBO featherweight belts against Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado.
Seven-weight world champion, Serrano (40-1-1, 30 KOs) became WBC and WBO champion in 2019, and added the IBO crown in her last outing, as she returned to her native Puerto Rico to knock out Daniela Romina Bermudez in nine rounds back in March.
Mercado (18-2, 5 KOs) is the current WBC ruler at super bantamweight, and steps up to featherweight just two months after her last defence, a points win over Angelica Rascon in her homeland.
Prediction: Serrano should be too big and experienced for Mercado I feel, and she should retain on the cards.
Baranchyk returns
Ivan Baranchyk moves up to welterweight after losing an eight knockdown, October 2020 thriller with Jose Zepeda, and he takes part in a scheduled ten rounder against the unbeaten Montana Love.
Former IBF super lightweight champion Baranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) shipped his belt to Josh Taylor in May 2019, and the Belarussian has certainly taken a lot of punishment in both the Taylor and Zepeda assignments.
Love (15-0-1, 7 KOs) hasn’t been past eight rounds as a pro, and his only blemish is a July 2018 draw with Kenneth Sims Jr.
The 26-year-old has won four straight since, his last in Dubai in June, a second round retirement win over Olaide Fijabi.
Prediction: Baranchyk should have too much experience here, and can win around halfway.
Conwell faces Rubios
Charles Conwell (15-0, 11 KOs) is also in action, and the Ohio-based super welterweight takes on Juan Carlos Rubio (18-0, 9 KOs) over ten.
Prediction: Both are unbeaten, but I favour Conwell, the sixth rated contender with the IBF, to win on the scorecards.
