Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio:

Let’s face it, this was not Ali-Frazier, Hagler-Hearns, or Gatti-Ward. Was it sloppy and slow at times? Yes. However, some questions were definitively answered with Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley throwing down, and a couple were not. But when the smoke cleared it was Paul by split decision. And the scorecards had both fighters questioning them.

Paul wondered how in his home town, a judge wouldn’t side with him. And Woodley felt he landed the harder shots, and a 4th round left hand and right that almost put Paul through the ropes should have been a “knock down”.

Much like as his MMA career was ending, Woodley didn’t let his hands fly. And he had that same issue here as well. In his post-fight presser, he alluded to it. However, most of the time when he would throw, it was from the outside. With that, Paul saw them coming from a mile away. But he definitely landed the harder shots.

And the reaction to Woodley losing by split decision, had responses more all over the place than the scorecards:

Paul By Split Decision

For a second it looked as if post fight things would calm down between both teams. Then again, like they say; “looks can be deceiving”. Paul in speaking with Ariel Helwani gave some praise to Woodley. Although, he also mentioned issues with his legs (but not in a Deontay Wilder type excuse for anything). He said “…all respect to Woodley, he’s a Hall Of Famer”, he went on to apologize if anyone felt disrespected (in reference to the Momma Woodley situation). But then “The Chosen One” spoke with Helwani and in getting in Paul’s face demanded an immediate rematch.

Woodley did make some valid points in stating his case. And for all his positive attributes, Paul needs to work on conditioning. It’s his one glaring weakness. Especially if he wants to be taken seriously by the inside boxing community. But for right now, he’d be picked apart and brought into the real deep waters by any viable boxer… at the right weight class.

He did go through adversity for the first time and showing heart and grit, came through it. His height gives him the ability to pop shot at range, and he’s mastered that art. Paul’s also solid at countering, which he did well early.

Jake Paul keeps Tyron Woodley at range

Should they actually run it back; Woodley can’t just throw one punch at a time. Especially with Paul getting better with the combos. And he’ll have time to work on it too. Paul mentioned that he’s been training so much he’d like to “chill out for a second”. Which might really mean, nobody truly is on his radar right now, and actually wants to work on things.

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Cyclone

Cyclone, considers himself the Chris "MadDog" Russo of combat sports. He got the nickname in 1984 after riding the roller coaster multiple times, and then made it his professional name. He's been officially covering combat sports since January 2017 when Chael Sonnen fought Tito Ortiz. Cyclone's been lucky enough to do some regional mma play-by-play. Loving to entertain since childhood, he continues to round out his schedule as a comedian, actor, producer, and show host. Away from the "bright lights", he enjoys cooking, fishing, and gambling. A lover of animals Cyclone hopes to one day return to working at an animal shelter.

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