16 December 2023 , 03:42
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Jake Paul demonstrated his brutal power with a devastating first-round KO of Andre August in Florida.
Paul was determined to prove he could beat a 'real boxer' and, after a composed start, unleashed an uppercut which left August prone on the canvas. He attempted to clamber to his feet and beat the count but the fight was quickly waved off by the referee.
Paul, who has won eight of his nine professional fights, said: "I said first-round knockout all week. I manifested this and this is the power of manifestation. I said I needed to bring back the old Problem Child. I've been too nice with people, letting them go into the later rounds. I've silenced the critics... shut the f*** up.
"I don't know what I proved tonight but I'm just going to do me. This is the next step to world champion and clearly these guys can't hang with me. He's been doing this his whole life. What's next? It's going to be even bigger. All I wanted was to give you a knockout for Christmas."
Jake Paul knocks out Andre August (Getty Images)Paul was fighting for the third time this year following a defeat by Tommy Fury and a points win over UFC legend Nate Diaz. Paul opted to face August in an attempt to prove he is serious about one day challenging for a world title. But while the Texan had won 10 of his 12 professional fights, he had beaten only two fighters with a winning record and had fought just once in four years.
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And Paul certainly seemed relaxed as he walked out to Rocking Around The Christmas Tree in front of a modest but sold-out 4,000-strong crowd in Orlando, Florida. And after a controlled start, Paul unleashed an uppercut which left August flat out on his back.
Asked when he will return to the ring, Paul kept his cards close to his chest - and refused to call out bitter rival KSI. "We've got an announcement next week," he added. "I'm not going to call out any names. I'm not going to give anyone the limelight right now who doesn't want to fight me. I could call these big names out right now, but I have already done that and they don't want to fight me. We all know who I'm talking about.
The referee waves off the fight (Getty Images)"[I want] more boxing prospects, more experience, more time in the ring under the bright lights and staying active. I'm focused on being the best in the world, and creating one of the best sports stories in the history of sports. From being on the Disney Channel and not knowing how to throw a jab three years ago, to world champion. It's incredible to inspire these young people or anyone out there to chase their dreams, and no matter where you start or when - you can pursue it and rise to the top."
In the co-main event, Franchon Crews-Dezurn outpointed Shadasia Green to be crowned super-middleweight world champion. Crews-Dezurn lost her world titles to Savannah Marshall earlier this year but was handed an immediate shot at redemption against the unbeaten Green.
And she made a mockery of her status as the underdog by dominating large swathes of the fight. Green struggled to control her distance and wasn't able to get her shots off. Crews-Dezurn was far more active and was effective in smothering her opponent's work before being given the nod by all three judges.