Jake Paul has revealed his long awaited opponent for his upcoming bout in December, as he announced Paul vs August. Paul (7-1) will be taking on Andre August (10-1-1) as the headliner for MVP Promotions Friday 15 December boxing card airing on DAZN. Paul vs August is the first Jake Paul bout not to air on PPV.
Paul has already competed twice in 2023, first losing to Tommy Fury via Split Decision in February. Paul returned to action where he beat Nate Diaz via Unanimous Decision, leaving his record at 7-1. Paul’s record includes 5 bouts against MMA competitors, Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz. He also fought AnEsonGib, a YouTuber, and Nate Robinson, a basketball player. Tommy Fury was the first bout of Paul’s career against a traditional boxer, and his upcoming bout against August can be considered the second.
Jake Paul vs Andre August is already causing some controversy as August lacks the profile of his previous opponents. August has competed once in 2023, in August ironically, ending a near 4 year layoff from the ring. He has stepped up from Light Heavyweight to Cruiserweight since his return to action, and picked up a 6 round Unanimous Decision in his last contest.
The length of the bout appears to favour Paul. August has only competed in two 6 round bouts in his career, and this bout against Paul will be over 8 rounds. Paul has already competed in 5 different 8 round contests, and went 10 against Diaz.
Paul is also taking a step backwards with the size of the event, as DAZN will carry the event as part of their regular subscription, ending a run of 8 consecutive PPV’s.
Andre August may not be the ideal opponent, but he carries a winning record as Paul promised. The bout does appear lopsided in the favour of Jake Paul, but in fairness to him most bouts around his level are. The length of time August spent out of the ring is far from ideal, but Campbell Hatton recently fought Jamie Sampson, an opponent with one bout after a 9 year spell of inactivity, so it isn’t unheard of in the professional ranks. Paul is also treading closer to a traditional boxing path with the hopes it will aid him in his ambitious attempt to capture a world championship.
The chief support for Paul vs August will feature women contesting the WBC Super Middleweight title. Shadasia Green (13-0) takes on Franchon Crews-Dezurn (8-2) over 10, 2 minute rounds. Crews-Dezurn lost her title to Savannah Marshall back in Manchester in July, but Marshall suffered an injury to her right hand and the WBC has named her as ‘Champion in Recess’. Savannah Marshall is due to return around April 2024 and expected to face the winner of Green vs Crews-Dezurn.
Shadasia Green is stepping up to world championship level for the first time. She competed at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Serrano vs Cruz in February, and again in Texas on the undercard of Serrano vs Hardy. Green lacks the experience of Crews-Dezurn, who enters her sixth world championship bout, but holds greater KO power and an unblemished professional record.
Paul vs August Full Undercard
Jake Paul vs Andre August
Shadasia Green vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn
Yoenis Tellez vs Livan Navarro
Elijah Flores vs Javier Mayoral
Zachary Randolph vs Michael Manna
Lorenzo Medina vs Joshua Temple
Alexander Gueche vs Clayton Ward
The MVP card featuring Paul vs August airs on DAZN 15 December 2023.