Editor’s note: This article was originally published at USA TODAY.
***
Jake Paul needed mere minutes to contradict himself and insult his upcoming opponent, Andre August, ahead of their boxing match Friday night on DAZN.
At the outset of a press conference Wednesday, Paul said he respects August, a little-known fighter from Houston with a record of 10-1-1 with five knockouts, and predicted the fight would be “a war.” But the respect vanished quickly as Paul spoke during an event to promote the cruiserweight bout that’s scheduled for eight rounds.
“I doubt he’s even going to land a punch,” Paul said of August. “That’s really what it is. Sloppy feet, all that. … I’m going to just dust him up real quick and you’re going to see who the better boxer is.”
So how did August respond to Paul’s trash talk?
“I’m going to leave all that talking for the women,” he said, referring to Shadasia Green and Franchon Crews-Dezurn, who were jawing at the press conference to promote their own fight before Paul and August joined the stage.
“I appreciate you for having me here, man,” August added, “At the same time, I don’t have time for all that talking.”
Of course the talking continued for Paul, who is 7-1 with four knockouts heading into a fight that will take place at at Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
“I’m going to pick him apart and show the world I’m the better boxer at the end of the day. And look for that knockout,” Paul said. “It’s been too long without a knockout, so I’m going to try to deliver that for the fans at home.”
Paul won by knockout in four of his first five bouts, but in his past three fights, he won twice by unanimous decision (over Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz) and lost by split decision to Tommy Fury.
