Teddy Atlas isn’t doubting Jake Paul ahead of his next fight.
After defeating MMA legend Anderson Silva in October, the 6-0 ‘Problem Child’ returns to the ring against 8-0 Tommy Fury this Sunday in Abu Dhabi. When it comes to the odds, Paul is a small betting favorite against Fury.
‘Jake’s Improving’
Boxing icon Atlas might not be an oddsmaker, but he also favors the internet sensation to come out on top and praises Paul for choosing this fight in particular.
“Jake’s improving. He’s improving confidence-wise as a fighter,” Atlas said on ‘THE FIGHT’. “I think it’s a smart move because He is improving, he is getting calmer in an uncalm environment where you won’t gas out when you’re calm. I think he’s the stronger guy, so he might need rounds, he might need those. He’s smart, Jake Paul. He might be a smart businessman, but he’s picking his spots pretty good, obviously. And you can’t blame him, you give him credit for that.”
Atlas’ Betting Advice
Atlas reckons Paul is the stronger undefeated fighter out of the two and predicts him to win over the distance.
“He’s a stronger guy. I think. Physically stronger, better puncher. He’s getting more mature as time goes on in the ring, he’s getting with his seasoning, he’s getting more confident. I believe that he thinks, ‘give me a couple extra rounds to use my strength to wear this guy down. Maybe this guy’s gonna move on me. I might need a few extra rounds to cut the ring down, make the ring shrink and get to him’.
“So, I think he’s thinking in that way, which shows he’s thinking like a fighter, which shows he’s maturing and growing like a fighter… If I was betting, I like Jake Paul. If I was betting, I’d bet on Jake Paul. I’d probably bet the over.”
Atlas Says Fury’s Record Is An ‘Illusion’
On paper, Tommy Fury looks to be Jake Paul’s toughest opponent to date with an 8-0 record. However, Teddy Atlas doesn’t think much of Fury’s past resume in the ring.
“I like Jake Paul to win the fight. Listen, Fury is the first boxer, pure boxer fighter that he’s fought, but he’s a guy that’s been protected. He’s a guy that’s got really a built up record, a record that’s a bit of an illusion. He’s 8-0, David Copperfield [a magician] could have made this record.”
