Jake Paul and Tyrone Woodley had plenty to say to one another during their first official press conference. Here are three things we learned.
YouTube star Jake Paul, a.k.a ‘The Problem Child,’ met future Aug. 29 opponent Tyron Woodley in front of the media on Tuesday, Jul 13. Paul and Woodley had a lot to say, with several comments going below the belt.
Paul is notorious for playing the villain role in his boxing bouts. He has made a name for himself as a social media star who excels at taking trash and stirring up drama. Paul embraced that position during his media conference with Woodley.
While the faceoff was relatively tame, some of the words were sharp. In between insults, there were some things said and done that give insight into this matchup. Here are three things we learned from the Paul vs. Woodley press conference.
1. Jake Paul respects Tyron Woodley
Paul tried to play mind games with Woodley. His insulting comments were meant to agitate Woodley, but the UFC veteran seemed cool as ice. Woodley is used to opponents talking smack and kept control of his emotions.
When asked about Woodley’s combat skillset, Paul praised Woodley as his toughest opponent to date. That doesn’t sound like a big endorsement considering that list includes Nate Robinson and a horridly out-of-shape Ben Askren, but Paul worded it as a compliment.
“Toughest [opponent ]by far, and that’s exactly what I want,” said Paul in reference to Woodley.
Woodley is a dangerous threat, and Paul knows it. Paul’s derogatory comments are one part show and one part bravado, but he respects Woodley as a fighter.
2. Tyron Woodley doesn’t respect Jake Paul
Woodley is taking his fight with Paul seriously. Then again, he takes every fight seriously.
Woodley made this comment directly when responding to a question by Brian Custer. Woodley stated that he always gives every fight his all. He doesn’t take shortcuts and looked fit while on stage with Paul.
That doesn’t mean he respects Paul as a fighter.
Woodley said that “This is going to be a fight.”
He acknowledged Paul’s punching power but made several diminishing comments about Paul’s ability.
“My sparring partners will finish you,” Woodley said to Paul.
Woodley might have some great sparring partners, but that comment doesn’t show that he sees Paul as a real threat. He sees an opponent that he expects to wipe out because of his preparation, but that’s not necessarily respect.
3. Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley made a hysterically fantastic bet
Towards the end of the press conference, Paul threw out the gauntlet in the form of a hilarious bet.
“Let’s make a new bet,” said Paul. “If I beat you, you have to get ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattooed on you, but if you beat me, I get ‘I love Tyrone [sic] Woodley’ tattooed on me.”
Woodley accepted the bet, which adds a little humorous intrigue to the outcome. It was made even better by Paul calling Woodley Tyrone instead of Tyron, a mistake he made the entire press conference.
We’ll see who’s getting new ink on Sunday, Aug. 29, from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Showtime pay-per-view will televise the matchup.