In a surprising turn of events, Eddie Hall, the former World's Strongest Man champion, has thrown his hat into the ring for a potential boxing match against YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, Jake Paul. The British strongman, who has successfully transitioned to combat sports, openly expressed his willingness to face Paul, citing it as a lucrative opportunity.
From Strongman to Scrapper: Hall's Fighting Journey
Eddie Hall, who claimed the World's Strongest Man title in 2017, has since shifted his athletic focus entirely to fighting. His professional boxing debut in 2022 ended in a loss to his long-time strongman rival, Hafthor Bjornsson. However, Hall has found success in mixed martial arts (MMA), securing victories in his first two bouts. His most recent win was a decisive 30-second knockout against former strongman and MMA fighter Mariusz Pudzianowski in April last year. The 34-year-old Hall, who weighed over 23 stone (approximately 146 kg) for that fight, has stated his intention to compete in the MMA cage at least one more time.
Hall's Respect for 'The Problem Child'
During a conversation on podcaster Rob Moore's show, Hall did not hesitate when asked about fighting Jake Paul. "Yeah, of course. Good payday. I’d fight him in boxing, yeah," Hall stated. He went on to praise Paul, breaking from the popular trend of criticising the social media star. "I actually quite like the kid," Hall admitted, acknowledging Paul's achievements in the ring.
Hall defended Paul's choice of opponents, arguing that aside from the upcoming Mike Tyson fight, Paul has faced legitimate fighters. He specifically mentioned Paul's close fight with Tommy Fury, a "decent-level boxer," noting that the loss was not a one-sided beatdown but a competitive scrap. Hall believes Paul has improved significantly since that fight.
The Size Disparity and Paul's Recent Setback
A potential bout would feature a colossal size difference. In his last professional boxing match against legendary heavyweight Anthony Joshua in December, Jake Paul weighed in at 216.4 lbs (15st 6lb). Eddie Hall, in contrast, tipped the scales at over 23 stone for his last fight, making him a staggering eight stone (approximately 50 kg) heavier than Paul.
Paul, 28, suffered a brutal knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua, 36, in the sixth round, which resulted in a broken jaw. The Florida State Athletic Commission has suspended Paul indefinitely pending medical clearance from a physician after he underwent surgery. Despite this setback, Paul has built a professional boxing record of 12-2 since his 2020 debut.
Hall Applauds Paul's Business Acumen
Beyond the fighting talk, Eddie Hall expressed genuine admiration for Jake Paul's revolutionary impact on boxing's business side. He highlighted how Paul's fights, like the Joshua bout which over 33 million people watched on Netflix, have generated unprecedented revenue. "What people don’t quite realise is he’s making more money than any of the pro boxers, probably put together," Hall said, estimating Paul's earnings at over £200 million.
Hall credited Paul for creating his own platform and environment, deserving of the massive paydays. "He’s set up those platforms, he’s got it on Netflix. He’s done that," Hall concluded, giving full credit to Paul for his entrepreneurial success in the sport.
