Highly regarded as one of best coaches in MMA, American Kickboxing Academy’s Javier Mendez thinks Jake Paul would give Conor McGregor a run for his money in the ring.
Mendez, who’s coached Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and Luke Rockhold to UFC titles, is familiar with McGregor’s game having helped Nurmagomedov train for their UFC 229 title fight in October 2018.
Although McGregor put up a valiant effort against one of the greatest boxers of all time in Floyd Mayweather, Mendez thinks Paul’s boxing experience and size would give him a good chance against the former UFC two-division champ.
“Jake has got so many advantages on Conor,” Mendez said in an interview with Betway Insider. “Size being one of the big major ones, and the fact that he’s been boxing for three-plus years with really good boxing professionals that know what they’re doing. So, no, he shouldn’t have to fear Conor whatsoever.
“Instead, he has to fear people like Canelo (Alvarez). He would just smash him in one round. It would be embarrassing. He hasn’t got a chance against those kinds of guys; he really should stay away from him. But against Conor, absolutely he has a chance. Looking at the two, Jake’s got big advantages in size and power. Yes, he doesn’t have fight experience, but he’s been strictly just boxing for a long time now. Conor’s not been strictly boxing.”
Paul is 4-0 in the boxing ring and coming off his biggest win to date, a split decision over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in August. Mendez lauded Paul’s boxing ability and sees improvements in the YouTube star’s skills.
“I have first-hand knowledge of seeing Jake do his stuff,” Mendez said. “I have videos that his coaches were sending me, and I have had words with the people that he was sparring with. The guy’s legit. He’s the real deal. Don’t get me wrong; he’s not a top level guy. You can’t be top level with three pro fights, but he has skills and he has power and he has great coaching. He really does. And he’s a good athlete, so combine all those together, and he’s gaining momentum.”
Many have expressed reservations on the Paul brothers’ contributions to boxing, but Mendez is all for it. He is impressed by the number of eyes they’ve been able to garner even when they’re boxing fellow debutants.
Javier Mendez: Jake Paul shouldn’t fear Conor McGregor, ‘has so many advantages’ over him
