Jake Paul Split Decisions UFC Star Tyron Woodley in Eight Round Showtime Thriller
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Click HERE for Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
Cleveland, OH (August 30th, 2021)–Social media star turned cruiserweight Jake Paul got taken the distance for the first time by former UFC star Tyron Woodley, making his pro debut, and hung on for an eight round split decision in the main event at Rocket Mortgage Firehouse, in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday August 29, 2021. Woodley, making his boxing pro debut, had lost his last four UFC bouts previous to this before his UFC contract expired in Spring 2021.
Paul goes to 4-0 with three knockouts, Westlake, Ohio. Pay-per-view for the event went as high as $59.95 for the Showtime five bout televised card. Three bouts began the cast in the untelevised version. Hooks and jabs from both combatants marked a good war. However, Paul had a slight height advantage but a three inch reach advantage, and it frustrated Woodley to an extent when he attempted to land punches. Woodley landed some good right hands, while Paul landed some good left hooks. The outcome of the bout was still in doubt in the last two rounds, and Paul seemed to be tiring down the stretch.
The judges went three different ways in this odd duck personal stakes bout for the fans, if not a title. Boxing seems to have become more the freak show these days, and social media popularity contests and rivalries seem to be the priority. It’s hard to justify why millions would pay to see this than they would for a noted boxing champion of any division, but the bottom line is whatever sells and whatever works.
Woodley, who was moving forward cutting off the ring and whittling at Paul’s attack, landed a big right hand which sent a stunning Paul reeling off the ropes near the end of round four, serving as notice to Paul he was in a real fight. From the fifth round on, both fighters at times held one or more hands low, not what one would call sparking defense. Paul landed a good right hand near the end of round seven, but was fighting off the back foot, with Woodley pressing forward hunting him down. Woodley was in great shape as Paul tired down the stretch, and leaned with his head in clinches. Wood ley appeared to clearly win rounds four and eight. Paul did enough by volume to win six of the rounds, but the limited skill of the fighters combined with a good effort on both sides made for an interesting fighter, and some differences of opinion on the scorecards.
Paul landed 71 of 207 punches overall as the more aggressive fighter, to the more defensive conservative counterpunching Woodley landing 52 of 163 punches overall. Woodley landed 41 of 115 power shot punches, to 35 landed of 85 power shots attempted by Paul. Woodley landed 11 of 48 jabs, to Paul landing 36 of 122 jabs.
Result: Jake Paul Win Split Decision 8 Tyron Woodley (Pro Debut), Cruiserweights
Scoring: 78-74, 77-75 for Paul. 77-75 for Woodley. Referee: George Nichols. Clean bout.
Rocket Mortgage Firehouse Undercard Results, Cleveland, Ohio
Amanda Serrano Win 10 Yamileth Mercado, Featherweights (Two Minute Rounds)
Serrano retains World Boxing Council Female World Featherweight Title
Serrano retains World Boxing Organisation Female World Featherweight title
Serrano retains International Boxing Organization Female World Featherweight title
World Boxing Council World Super Bantamweight champion Mercado, 18-3, Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, unsuccessful moving up in weight class against 41-1-1 seven division Puerto Rican female southpaw world champion Serrano, winner of 27 bouts in a row.
Scoring: 99-91, 98-92, 97-93 for Serrano. Referee: Lonnie Scott
Montana Love Win Referee’s Technical Decision 7, Ivan Baranchyk, Super Lightweights
Cleveland 16-0-1 southpaw prospect Love dropped Baranchyk in sixth. Corner retirement.
Daniel Dubois TKO 1 Joe Cusumano, heavyweights (2:10) U.S. debut for UK’s Dubois
Cusumano down three times in first. Nontitle bout for WBA regular world champ Dubois.
Charles Conwell TKO 3 Juan Carlos Rubio, Super Welterweights (2:49)
Cleveland 16-0 prospect Conwell exposes the 18-0 padded record of Mexico’s Rubio.
Tommy Fury Win 4 Anthony Taylor, Cruiserweights (40-36, 40-36, 40-36 for Fury)
Opening bout of card. 6-0 Manchester prospect Tommy ‘TNT’ Fury is the brother of World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Tommy called out Jake Paul after this win.
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