With the exhibition boxing match between Jake Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis being canceled by Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix, Paul is in need of an opponent.
MVP has contacted several fighters to take on Paul in the headlining bout of an event planned for later this year. One of those fighters was former UFC heavyweight champion turned boxer Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou turned down the fight. In declining the bout, Ngannou said he felt disrespected by the offer. Paul responded and the two engaged in a fiery back-and-forth exchange on social media. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier warned Paul not to get in the ring with “The Predator.”
“Jake Paul don’t want those problems. I can’t say it any different. Jake Paul does not want any Francis Ngannou problems. He don’t,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “He does not want those issues because, while I think it’s crazy and I credit him for doing that, and I’m surprised he did that, this could be a ploy, him poking out his chest saying, ‘I want Francis.'”
“But he don’t want those problems. He don’t want those Francis Ngannou problems,” Cornier continued. “I don’t care what Anthony Joshua did to Francis Ngannou. Jake Paul gets in there with Francis, Francis will knock his head off this planet. You don’t want those Francis problems.”
Related: Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou engage in social media sparring session
Cormier commended Paul for his ability to change the narrative and his ability to market himself, but doesn’t think he actually wants to fight Ngannou.
“He knows how to market himself, but I’m telling you, you play stupid games, you get stupid prizes. The stupid prize would be fighting Francis Ngannou. I don’t care what money Jake Paul would make, he should not be fighting Francis Ngannou. Francis will put him out. Big Frank don’t know how to play games. Big Frank don’t know how to pull his punches. Big Frank will put you down. Stay away from Francis Ngannou,” Cormier said.
