Andre August (10-1 as a professional boxer) will face Jake Paul in his upcoming bout, officials told ESPN on Wednesday.
The former YouTuber who is now a prizefighter will take on August in Orlando, Florida on December 15. The eight-round fight is scheduled to take place at cruiserweight (200 pounds).
This is a change in approach for Paul, who has mostly faced older mixed martial artists who have established themselves in the UFC during his boxing career.
Although this fight lacks the celebrity value of earlier ones, Paul’s detractors have long wanted him to face respectable opponents, and August is by far the most seasoned opponent Paul has faced.
“I’m a professional boxer who wants to be world champion, so I must continue on the path towards excellence against people who have been involved in boxing their whole life,” Paul stated in a statement.
The card is not a pay-per-view event; instead, it will stream on DAZN.
In August, Paul (7-1, 4 KOs) defeated former UFC star Nate Diaz via unanimous decision. Tommy Fury was the opponent of the Ohio native, who now resides and trains in Puerto Rico when he suffered his first career loss.
Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, two former UFC champions, have also been defeated by Paul, 26.
“When it comes to pound-for-pound, Canelo Alvarez faced a 0-1 opponent, Gervonta Davis faced an opponent with 31 losses, and the great Terence Crawford faced a 9-14 opponent in his ninth fight,” stated Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s business partner & co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. However, nobody was watching Terence, Canelo, or Gervonta. Jake Paul does, and he’s taking on a 10-1 opponent and risking everything once more.”
August, 35, has won five straight fights. The fighter from Houston will be participating in his first eight-round match.
“Jake Paul has the resources, the team, the money, and the fame, but he lacks my hunger,” August stated in a statement. “When that bell rings, I intend to go straight to Jake Paul and ring his bell to send him back to YouTube for good.”
Shadasia Green vs. Franchón Crews-Dezurn for the WBC women’s super middleweight title will be the co-main event of the card.