In a hypothetical boxing clash of Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor, elite MMA coach Javier Mendez gives the nod to the uber-popular YouTube star-turned boxer.
Although a fight between Paul and McGregor has not been seriously discussed, there are some combat sports fans that would love to see the two beloved trash-talking fighters go toe-to-toe in an actual fight. While discussion of the booking is all hypothetical at this point, many would favor the former two-division UFC champion in that “dream” fight.
However, Mendez, the head coach of American Kickboxing Academy and trainer of legendary fighters Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Paul would actually have many advantages in that particular fantasy booking. Especially when it comes to pure boxing acumen.
ATT’s Javier Mendez has some surprising thoughts on Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor
Jake has got so many advantages on Conor, Mendez told Betway [h /t BJPenn.com]. Size being one of the big major ones, and the fact that he’s been boxing for three-plus years with really good boxing professionals that know what they’re doing. So no, he shouldn’t have to fear Conor whatsoever. … Looking at the two, Jake’s got big advantages in size and power. Yes, he doesn’t have fight experience but he’s been strictly just boxing for a long time now. Conor’s not been strictly boxing.
Some in the combat sports community have not been welcoming of Jake, and his brother Logan, into the fighting fraternity. Fighters and fans have shown a disdain for how the social media influencers and sometimes actors have jumped into boxing and had copious amounts of money-making success, in little time. It has led to a discussion that makes some purists uncomfortable. What means more to fight fans? Talent or popularity?
Mendez respects the Paul Bros. success
Mendez does not have a problem with Jake’s, or Logan’s, success when viewed from through a certain scope. Being friends with Paul’s coaches, he is in the know on the actual talent the Ohio native has. But he also knows he is not of the level of superstar boxers like Canelo Alvarez or Terrence Crawford. Meaning, if taking in his skill level at this moment, what they are doing as “beginners” in the sport is amazing. And ignoring the legitimate legion of fans they have would simply be foolish.
The Paul brothers are extremely likable entertainers or extremely hateable entertainers, depending on your viewpoint. They cross both fields. People love them, people hate them, but people want to watch them, so I applaud them for what they’re doing,” said Mendez. I respect their abilities but they’re not true boxers. They’re legit boxers but they’re not high-level. They’re not high-level at all, they’re beginners. For beginners to do what they do, that’s amazing and I applaud them for that because it takes special people to get that kind of attention.”
Whether it’s great for the sport, I‘d have to say majority yes because look at Jake Paul’s PPV numbers. How can a guy box another guy that’s never boxed and get that kind of attention? I’d be fooling myself to say nobody’s interested because of the really good numbers. One of the highest numbers of all time on PPV so, you know when you get over a million, that’s pretty high so I say kudos to them. They’re doing a great job.
What are your thoughts on a Paul vs McGregor fight? Is Mendez right in assertion about how that fight would go?
