Ak and Barak discussed Jake Paul’s chances of winning over the hardcore boxing community.
While Paul has earned tens of millions from putting on fights against fellow YouTubers, former basketball players and ex-UFC fighters, he is yet to come up against a traditional boxer.
His last fight was against Tyron Woodley, a former UFC champion, and it was his toughest test so far. Akin ‘Ak’ Reyes understood why he is yet to fight a true professional boxer.
“Well, because they have big names, but they're not as big a threat as a big top-name boxer. So that makes that make sense,” he said on the DAZN Boxing Show.
“But I mean, I've accepted him as a boxer. We both know that, you know, when he got his boxing license, he should have been considered a boxer. So how do you feel after this performance, though? The general public, how do you feel about their acceptance of him being a legitimate boxer?”
Meanwhile, Barak Bess sketched out a path to acceptance for the 24-year-old YouTuber.
“I have a blueprint of what Jake Paul can do to gain the respect of fans,” he said.
“And the first thing I say is fight Tommy Fury. That's the first thing, because that'd be your first boxer, somebody who's inexperienced and in the pro game, but he has a name. He has a name outside of America, but he has a name.
“He has a look and that last name is huge. He's gonna have Fury backing him. The all access will have Tyson Fury in it, and it'd be crazy. I think that's the first step.
“I think the next thing he needs to do is pick a weight class. Pick a weight class, don't do the in-betweens. Show your diligence by picking a weight class, whether it's cruiserweight or whether it's light heavyweight.
“Another thing. keep stacking those undercards. You got to admit Sunday night was a beautiful undercard with Charles Conwell, Daniel Dubois, Amanda Serrano, Montana Love - it was an amazing card. Keep doing that because that's showing love to boxing and you're going to get respect for that.
“Another thing I think he could do: fight a retired champion, move up like real boxers, you know. That's what they do, they get one of these guys. And then maybe what you can do is when you get to that level, maybe two years out, call out 175 pound champion, a current 175 pound champion, and then have him come to your weight class or whatever.”
Ak agreed with the first part of Barak’s plan, saying: “I like your angle with Tommy Fury. I think actually, Tommy Fury is a very tough fight for Jake Paul. He has a little more experience, better stance, a little more leverage on his punches. He's big in size and stature.
“I think that'd be a very even fight. In fact, I think Tommy Fury would have the edge; he would probably be a favorite in that fight. Considering the experience and what I saw on Sunday night, but then again, would it be a big pull?”