Jake Paul sparred world champs before Anderson Silva fight including man who dropped Tyson Fury and Andre Ward’s rival

JAKE PAUL called on the help of Tyson Fury and Andre Ward’s old rivals to help him prepare to fight Anderson Silva.

The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, his first bout in ten months.

But during that hiatus from the ring, Paul has been secretly mixing it with champions of the past.

That includes Steve Cunningham, 46, the former IBF cruiserweight title holder who in 2013 dropped but lost to Tyson Fury.

And most recently Chad Dawson, 40, the three time light-heavyweight champ who lost to American great Ward in 2012.

Paul, 25, said: “Chad Dawson raises my level of competition significantly.

“He pushes me to the next level and he makes me have to fight at my best. That’s what’s needed.

“If I can be in there with Chad Dawson, then I can beat Anderson Silva.

“I’m super excited for October 29 to go out there and show my speed.”

Paul last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.

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That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.

Woodley only filled on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.

The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.

Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightening to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.

But Rahman is a frequent switch-hitter, meaning Paul accustomed himself to sparring southpaws, a blessing in disguise for his fight with Silva.

Coach BJ Flores said: “We’ve had Richard vanSiclen, who is 13-0. We’ve had Chad Dawson, who’s a former world champion.

“We’ve had Steve Cunningham and a lot of good guys in camp boxing with Jake who are very good southpaws.

“Southpaws who have been around for a long time just to give Jake that look over and over again and make sure he’s comfortable when he gets in the ring.”