Jake Paul has shown off his new physique after bulking up to the same weight as Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson in July.
Jake Paul has bulked up to heavyweight (Image: Getty Images)
YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul showcased his new build after gaining weight in preparation for his showdown ut against heavyweight icon Mike Tyson. The controversial fight will be staged at AT&T Stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys – on July 20.
Many boxing enthusiasts argue that Tyson shouldn’t be allowed back into the ring with an opponent three decades his junior. The fight has been sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and will be contested over eight two-minute rounds with 14oz gloves, despite Tyson not entering the ring for a professional bout since his 2004 knockout defeat to Kevin McBride.
Paul’s body weight was once as low as 183lbs when he initially transitioned from internet fame to boxing. However, he bulked up to the 200-pound cruiserweight limit for his last two victorious matches and now matches former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua’s weight as he prepares to face former unified heavyweight king Tyson.
However, not all of Paul’s fans are impressed by the athlete’s latest body reveal. Some claimed he appeared out of shape following his weight gain.”Do you know how difficult it is to look that soft with that professional lighting,” one critic commented. “Way too heavy for his height,” another remarked. “Looks like he ate a couple cheeseburgers,” another added.
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Paul now looks massive ahead of his fight against ‘Iron Mike’ (Image: @mostvaluablepromotions | Instagram)
As for Tyson, he weighed 220 lbs during his exhibition match vs legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr back in 2020. Paul wishes to attain a similar weight for his own face-off with ‘Iron Mike’, who recently made headlines after stating that his diet consisted of raw meat in order to regain his fighting physique.
Paul holds a 9-1 record as a boxer with his only defeat coming by split decision to Tommy Fury, heavyweight champ Tyson Fury’s half-brother, last year. Since then, the 27-year-old has strung together three successive victories, beating MMA legend Nate Diaz on points before knockout wins over unknown boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland.
Paul discussed his weight gain and stepping up to the heavyweight division on his “BS Podcast”. He said: “It’s just like shocking to people that that is how much I weigh. I think just because normally I’m fighting at 200 and walking around at 210. It’s weird to me that I’m weighing 230. But since this was noodling after my last fight I’m just getting to eat as much as possible and it turns out my body carries this weight super well.
“I’m only growing. I think I’ll get up to 240 and probably cut down so I’m like way faster. But if I’m training for this camp – and camp hasn’t started – but if I’m training in this camp at 240 and then I cut down to 220 it’s basically like I had a 20lbs weight vest on for the whole entire camp. So my muscles are going to be so much stronger and that speed will come through.”
