KEY POINTS

  • Jake Paul is not fighting to win world titles
  • Paul has a special list of names that he wants to fight
  • The YouTuber has eyes on MMA fighters after his bout with Nate Robinson

Internet sensation Jake Paul has been criticized for taking things to the extreme, albeit his journey into fight sports.

Most have played with the notion that he is seriously pursuing a career in the ring . However, the 23-year-old cleared the air and explained that his goal is to cross off some names in what could be called a special “grudge list” from his end.

“Winning a world title is not really my interest,” Paul said in an exclusive interview with The Ring. “My interest is to cross a bunch of people off my hit list.”

According to Paul, that list includes some undisclosed names from YouTube, some rappers, and also athletes from mixed martial arts.

This could hint at what he has planned after his showdown with former NBA player Nate Robinson on Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles California.

For Paul, it is a dream come true to be part of the Tyson vs. Jones clash. Though most see him having an edge over Robinson, the YouTuber vows to put on a good show.

“It’s an honor. I respect the sport of boxing a lot and I want to put on a good show, and to show the boxing world that I’m a legitimate pro boxer,” Paul said.

Paul is currently 1-0 in the ring. That lone win came at the expense of fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib last January, where won in the first round after dropping his opponent twice.

Though Robinson has not boxing experience, Paul cannot take the 36-year-old for granted. Like him, the three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion has been known to take risks.

Furthermore, Robinson has the athleticism and vowed that he could pose problems for Paul.

Beyond Robinson, Paul plans to take it to another level by challenging several established mixed martial artists. He wants to try his luck on Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis and Ben Askren.

Danis and Askren have called Paul out, and the latter welcomes the possibility of getting in the ring with either of them and boldly claims that he can knock them out.

“Dillon Danis and Ben Askren have also called me out. Let’s get in the ring then. I have a long list of people that I want to knock out, and that’s the game plan,” he stated

As for the Tyson vs. Jones clash, Paul also gave his prediction for the fight. He feels "The Baddest Man on the Planet" will win the fight via knockout in the third round.

However, if Tyson fails to finish the fight early, Paul feels that Jones will come out the victor.

Jake Paul is separated from KSI after Paul defeated AnEsonGib in a first round knockout during their fight at Meridian at Island Gardens
Jake Paul is separated from KSI after Paul defeated AnEsonGib in a first round knockout during their fight at Meridian at Island Gardens Getty Images | Michael Reaves