Jake Paul will look to improve his professional boxing record to 4-0 on Sunday when he faces his toughest opponent in former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
Paul’s first professional fight was against fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib, and he followed that with bouts against former NBA player Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter Ben Askren.
Woodley is making his boxing debut. He went 19-7-1 in the UFC and won the welterweight championship in June 2016, defending the title four times.
At 39, Woodley is 15 years older than the 24-year-old Paul. At 5-foot-9, he is four inches shorter than the 6-1 Paul.
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USA TODAY Sports has round-by-round analysis:
ROUND 1
Woodley looks unorthodox in stance. Squatting. Paul leads with jabs. Now a straight o body. Woodley doesn’t look like a boxer. Might not matter. Throws a jab. Not landing. Paul lands with double jab. Paul again throwing jabs. Not much movement from Woodley. Paul lands a combination of punches. Woodley looking very stiff. Misses with an overhand right. Paul 10, Woodley 9.
ROUND 2
Woodley comes out aggressive, but Paul answers with a right hand. Woodley throws a wild left. Paul looking measured now. Woodley lands a solid jab. Paul answers with a right to the body. Woodley lunges forward with a strong right. It’s deflected. Paul lands a combination. But Woodley comes back. Looking more comfortable now. Paul appears to respect Woodley’s power. Not rushing. Paul 20, Woodley 18.
ROUND 3
Woodley comes out more aggressive. Stalking. Wraps up Paul and is punching to body. Paul willing to wait for an opening. Woodley lands two solid punches. Seems to be feeling more comfortable. But Paul answers with left. And another. Woodley certainly more aggressive, but no big payoff yet. Big uppercut from Paul. Woodley shakes it off. Crowd getting restless as action subsides. Fighters exchange words at end of round. Paul 29, Woodley 28.
ROUND 4
Woodley suddenly appears to be in control. Even when Paul lands a solid left. Paul backing up. Paul using jabs. Then connects with a big right to the body. More body work. But Woodley is stalking. But Paul the more active fighter with this fists. Woodley has Paul rocked. Woodley lands big jab. Paul wobbly. Here come Woodley. Left lands. Fighters wrapped up. Suddenly it’s all Woodley. Woodley 38, Paul 38.
ROUND 5
Woodley aggressive as round opens. Woodley lands with stiff right uppercut. Paul aggressive, but he looks fatigued. Woods lands with a straight right. The tone has shifted dramatically. Woodley exuding confidence. Paul connects with a solid left. Another solid left from Paul. Some wild punches. Paul 48, Woodley 47.
ROUND 6
Wrestling against the ropes. Now separated. Both fighters look either fatigued or unwilling ... Here comes Paul. Big punches. Paul looks reenergized. Woodley stalking, but no punches to speak of. Paul again lands with left hook. Woodley lands with a left, but too little too late to win this round. Paul 58, Woodley 56.
ROUND 7
Woodley strangely inactive. Paul taking no risks. Then lands a big left, but Woodley connects too. Paul throws jabs. Landing, too. Woodley appears to be loading up for a KO punch. But Paul is the one landing punches, including a solid right. Woodley responds with a left. Paul 68, Woodley 65.
ROUND 8
Woodley seems to know he needs a knockout. Paul knows it too, but exchanging big punches. Paul active with jabs. But he knows the deal: All he needs to do to win is remain on his feet. More jabs. Woodley running out of time. Woodley throwing jabs, but that won’t do it. Woodley rushes in and lands, but fighters get tied up. Big right from Woodley, but Paul still on his feet. Paul 78, Woodley 74.
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