Deontay Wilder has become the latest former world champion to welcome a fight with Jake Paul, saying he would gladly step into the ring to hand the YouTuber-turned-boxer a “reality check.”
Speaking to Brian Mazique, Wilder revealed that while no official offer has been made, he would accept the bout without hesitation: “Nothing has been presented to us, at the moment it’s not real, but if it came my way of course I’m 100 per cent taking it.”
Wilder praised Paul’s ability to draw attention and generate big money, but noted that his path to stardom has been unconventional compared to traditional fighters: “Some of these guys never, ever in their lifetime see $50,000, let alone $1 million. But it’s the wave of what young people like. Money makes the world go round, and if you can generate a crowd that puts asses in seats, that generates money.”
Paul, 28, recently earned a WBA No.14 cruiserweight ranking after beating ex-world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June. His only professional loss came in 2023 to Tommy Fury. He has since teased fights with Anthony Joshua and is scheduled to meet lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout on November 14.
Wilder, 39, is coming off back-to-back defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang before returning to winning ways in June against Tyrrell Herndon. He is also in talks to face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
As for a potential clash with Paul, Wilder already has a name in mind: “That’s exactly how I would approach it. It would be a big reality check. That would be the title of the show – ‘Reality Check.’ At least for me.”
