A fight between YouTube stars KSI and Jake Paul has been long due, but never even came close to happening. However, now there seems to be a number on the table, for which ‘The Problem Child’ will be down to scrap with his arch-nemesis. Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian recently threw out a $100 million demand to make the fight happen while roping in Canelo Alvarez. 

Firstly, the primary obstacle to making the fight happen appears to be the weight difference. The 31-year-old typically fights around 180 pounds, while Paul currently competes in the heavyweight division. However, Bidarian has revealed that his client is willing to come down to cruiserweight (200 pounds) to fight KSI.

“Cruiserweight, easy.  [The] fight’s done…,” Bidarian told Fred Beck during a recent interview. When Beck mentioned that KSI fights at 180 pounds, Bidarian clarified that cruiserweight fighters can weigh anywhere from 176 to 200 pounds. Paul’s promoter then roped in Alvarez, suggesting he wouldn’t ask his opponent to cut down in weight to fight him. 

“Canelo is never going to, I don’t believe, say to Jake Paul, ‘You have to cut to fight me.’ Because he has the cojones to say, ‘Great. I’m gonna go in there and beat this dude up.’..,” Bidarian said. He dismissed the narrative that the fight can’t happen because KSI isn’t at 200 pounds. Instead, he emphasized that the real reason is KSI’s lack of unwillingness to “make the fight.”

“There’s no reason, there’s no desire for Jake Paul to cut weight to fight KSI,” he added. However, Bidarian pointed out one way that can entice Paul to cut weight and come down to KSI’s exact weight. “If KSI showed up and said, ‘Here is a guaranteed $100 million for Jake Paul,’ then sure, like that’s equal to other opportunities that we have, then we consider that,” Bidarian said. 

Several mainstream boxers have called out Jake Paul, since he defeated Mike Tyson in November, including the likes of Daniel Dubois and Artur Beterbiev. Regardless, Paul’s manager went on to emphasize that they are the A-Side. “We’re putting on the biggest events in the world and no one’s come to us with that kind of offer,” Paul’s manager told Beck.

Meanwhile, ‘El Gallo’ has received another challenge, this one, all the way from France!

Cedric Doumbe calls out Jake Paul for mixed rules bout

French MMA star Cedric Doumbe has issued a bold challenge to Jake Paul, proposing a mixed-rules bout that alternates between boxing and MMA rounds. Speaking at the PFL Europe finals in Lyon, Doumbe captivated the crowd with his charisma and humor, even poking fun at his infamous loss earlier this year due to a splinter incident.

Doumbe didn’t hold back when addressing Paul, saying, “You are a big star in the US, I am a big star in France, let’s get it done. First-round boxing, second-round MMA, whatever you want, you are getting knocked out.”

The bout would follow a unique ruleset similar to Demetrious Johnson’s ONE Championship fight, testing both fighters’ adaptability. While Paul is heavier, Doumbe is confident his striking and MMA skills would secure victory. “I know you guys want to see a real fight,” Doumbe added. “But I need to get paid.”

That being said, with a price tag as crazy as Canelo Alvarez’s $200 million to fight David Benavidez, it’s safe to say that the fight is not happening anytime soon. However, the bigger question is, does Jake Paul, a mediocre boxer at best, deserve a $100 million payday?