Artur Beterbiev was among the first to volunteer. After all, Jake Paul had swept the boxing world with a sensation where everyone wanted him to pay for what he did to their idol—Mike Tyson. But it seems the initial heated moments have passed, and the Russian-Canadian champion wants to let it slide now.

“What can you do in ring against the current undisputed champion?” Beterbiev, 39, asked ‘Problem Child’ after he handed Tyson, 58, a defeat in the ring. The unanimous decision loss was a shock for many, as they grew up watching ‘Iron Mike’ and had always held him in high regard.

But Paul, 27, violated that sanctity and emotions. And now the question is whether the unified light heavyweight champion wants a fight with him.

The answer is a no; at least that’s what Beterbiev, at 22-0, told Seconds Out. He explained how rationality had dawned on him. He said, “In boxing, for all time, I have favorite boxers like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson and Jake Paul like beat Mike Tyson, one of my favorite boxer. And it’s my first reaction, like, I want to pay him back, you know. That’s right. But it’s, after a couple days, it’s good. I don’t want fight with him.”

“If he wants, yes. But I think he doesn’t like to fight me,” Artur Beterbiev continued. Does that mean the Khasavyurt native doesn’t want to punish the YouTuber-turned-prizefighter? For the moment, yes. But what if the two were to exchange blows in the squared circle? Beterbiev details that too.

Artur Beterbiev judges Jake Paul’s boxing skills

The light heavyweight champion comically hinted at making Paul, at 11-1, aware of real boxing if the two were to ever fight. He disclosed, “I think I show him box, little bit boxing, real boxing, you know.” In addition, he also cast a judgment on the Cleveland native’s boxing skills. He added, “He has good, uh, skills like boxing. But is not that good, I think.”

Paul has attracted many big names after his fight with Tyson, at 50-7, and one of them was even Daniel Dubois. However, the American fighter agreeing to fight a heavyweight champion might be a far-fetched reality as he continues to mold himself into a better boxer.

Meanwhile, speculations run high that Beterbiev will run it back with Dmitry Bivol next year. The first encounter ended in a close contest, making the rematch an obvious outcome with high stakes and heavy paychecks. But it remains to be seen when the fans get to see the rematch.

What do you make of these comments by Arthur Beterbiev about Jake Paul? Who do you think will win between the two? Let us know in the comments below.