Retired Daniel Jacobs Open To Jake Paul Bout: “I Can Get Myself In Shape” For A “Fun Fight”

Daniel Jacobs says he’d be interested in coming out of retirement to fight Jake Paul to give him someone credible to fight. The 38-year-old former two-time middleweight champion Jacobs (37-5, 30 KOs) believes that Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) is looking for “credibility” in his boxing career, but he needs someone like himself as an opponent to give him that.

Credibility: Jacobs’s Offer

Jacobs retired last year in July following a one-sided 10-round decision loss to Shane Mosley Jr. However, he says his skills are still there, and what he’s learned during his long pro career is still in his knowledge bank.

The question is whether Paul would want to take the risk of fighting someone credible like Jacobs, because it would be risky. Jacobs has power, and he’s only been retired for one year. Although he’s 38, he would still be plenty dangerous, especially in the early rounds.

“To me to fully judge Jake to say it’s not biased, it’s not rigged, it’s not hacked, even though I don’t really feel that, but I can see it, or I can understand the claims rather,” said Daniel Jacobs to the Stomping Ground, talking about Jake Paul. “It would take for him [Jake] to fight somebody really respectable. Somebody who has a fight to give and is a little more consistent because I think that’s what he’s really searching for. Credibility, right?”

Fans Doubt Paul’s Motives

Some fans believe that Jake’s rationale for selecting opponents has nothing to do with credibility and more to do with generating a ton of money. Choosing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and 59-year-old Mike Tyson as opponents is a backward way of gaining credibility. It was an excellent way for Paul to make millions. If it were about credibility, wouldn’t Jake have targeted IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia? He’s considered the best in that division by far.

“Obviously, a guy like myself, even coming out of retirement [Note: Jacobs has been retired for just one year. He hung up his gloves on July 6, 2024]. That’s the type of credibility that you’re [Jake Paul] looking for. Former world champion, a guy that is respected among most.”

Compared to some of the fighters in the sport, Jacobs is relatively young. He just turned 38 in February and is the same age as Oleksandr Usyk. However, Jacobs lost his last two fights to John Ryder and Shane Mosley Jr, but that was more of a situation where he gassed out after starting off strong in both fights.

Early in those fights, Jacobs looked like his vintage self, but then he faded at the midpoint and was fighting on fumes. That’s more of a training issue than an age-related issue. A little more cardio in camp would have made a big difference in those fights.

“I would never not turn down a scenario like that simply because of what it represents. I’m not trying to be competitive, but to me, that’s a fun fight. I can get myself in shape. There’s still skill. I never forgot. I’m not coming back to boxing, especially at the competitive level. But if the right dynamic came up where I could have some fun, I may. Why not,” said Jacobs.

Paul’s Search for Opponents

Jake Paul is looking to fight active fighters after his 10-round unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.  He mentioned wanting to fight one of these fighters:

– Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez
– Badou Jack
– Tommy Fury
– Anthony Joshua
– Gervonta “Tank” Davis
– Canelo Alvarez
– KSI