JAKE PAUL floored Anderson Silva on the way to securing the most legitimate win of his boxing career.
The YouTuber-turned boxer bettered Silva on points in Arizona, scoring a knockdown in the eighth and final round.
Paul was awarded a unanimous decision with scores of 77-74 and 78-73, twice as he defeated his idol-turned rival.
He said: âItâs a surreal moment. Hard work pays off. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to Anderson.
“He was my idol growing up. He inspired me to be great. He was the first celebrity I ever met.
“Without him, we wouldnât have had a fight this year. Heâs a tough mofo. A legend. I have nothing but respect for him.
“This just goes to show that anyone watching at home, chase your dreams. Itâs never too late.
“I started boxing two-and-a-half years ago as a pro and just beat one of the greatest ever because Iâm obsessed with this.
“I go so hard every single day. Nothing can get in my way. No distractions.”
The opening round was a cagey affair with Paul, 25, starting as the aggressor, pawing out his jab and lining up right hands to the body.
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Silva, 47, shipped a couple of right hooks but remained relaxed and came on late with an onslaught in the corner.
The Brazilian came out the traps in the second round and scored with a lead uppercut.
Paul looked flustered in spells as he was forced to cover up, which sparked some trademark showboating from Silva.
The self-proclaimed “Problem Child” began the third round on the back foot having to defend from the pressure coming his way.
He reacted well by firing in left hooks but Silva again had his younger opponent covering up in the corner but staying composed.
The UFC icon kept up the momentum in round five and the lead right uppercut continued to be his honey shot.
Although in the sixth, Paul seemed to swing the pendulum back in his favour with some telling left and right hooks, even leaving Silva bloodied.
The South American superstar put his foot on the gas in the seventh but it drew a good response.
Paul fired off a three-punch combination, finishing with his right hand, and began to sense the fight was his.
On the other hand, Silva seemed to know he had to do something big to salvage the fight.
But his eagerness saw him hit the canvas as he rushed in, leaving Paul to counter with a right hand.
It saw Silva on the seat of his pants and staring defeat in the face.
He continued to pressure Paul until the final bell but the last-gasp knockdown proved more than enough to seal the victory on the cards.
The social media sensation moves to 6-0 and leaves Glendale with the best win of his career.
