One of the worst-kept secrets is boxing is now official.
On Monday, it was announced that Jake Paul would take on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on Sunday, Aug. 29, from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Paul's birthplace of Cleveland, Ohio. The date matches DAZN News' previous report on when the fight would take place.
The bout will be contested at a 190-pound catchweight and is an eight-round affair.
Paul (3-0, 3 KOs) returns home for his fourth professional fight, with the social media influencer-turned-boxer set to compete for the third time in nine months. In his last time out, the 24-year-old knocked out Woodley teammate Ben Askren in the first round in April, and he is excited to strap on the gloves and fight in his own backyard.
“I grew up going to Cavs, Browns, and Indians games on the weekends, dreaming as a little kid of one day being in a position to put on a show for my hometown like they did,” Paul said in a press release. “On August 29, that dream comes true. My biggest challenge to date, in front of the city that made me, on pay per view for the world to see me knockout a UFC champion."
Woodley will be making his professional boxing debut in the bout. He captured the UFC welterweight title with a first-round knockout over Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 back in July 2016 and defended the championship four times before losing to current 170-pound titlist Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 in March 2019. Woodley lost his next three contests as well, including his last outing to Vicente Luque via first-round submission at UFC 260 in March. That was the last fight of Woodley's UFC contract, which allowed him to venture into boxing.
Many people have wanted to see the bombastic Paul get his comeuppance. Woodley vows that he's the guy to rid the sport of Paul.
"I'm a grown ass man,” Woodley said. “I don't play games with kids. They brought me in to take the trash out. You're welcome!"