Brazilian influencer Thomas Oliveira, a.okay.a. FaZe Mood, thanks Jake Paul for opening the doorways for on-line personalities into the world of boxing, however wish to see Paul step up and face youthful and actual pugilists going ahead.
Oliveira, who headlines Saturday’s Misfits Boxing 16 card reverse Josh Brueckner in Miami, seems to be to maintain his momentum going after a first-round knockout over Gintaras Zukauskas in September 2023. Whereas he applauded Paul’s latest stoppage of BKFC star Mike Perry, the truth that most of Paul’s victories came visiting UFC veterans leaves Oliveira with questions.
“I knew it wouldn’t be simple and I believed Jake would win, but it surely was tougher than I imagined,” Oliveira instructed MMA Combating. “Mike Perry doesn’t cease. It doesn’t matter if he’s getting punched, he stored strolling ahead at Jake. He’s loopy. I respect him, but it surely’s totally different once you’re boxing an MMA man, a bare-knuckle man. Jake’s targeted on this for six years, coaching with one of the best individuals he can.”
Paul is 10-1 as an expert boxer, beating the likes of Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and now Perry. His subsequent match is scheduled for Nov. 15, an eight-round conflict with 58-year-old boxing legend Mike Tyson.
“The one laborious battle he’s had to this point was when he fought an expert boxer who’s nearer to his age, Tommy [Fury], and he didn’t win that battle, however I respect Jake for every part he’s achieved for the boxing scene,” Oliveira mentioned. “It’s not simple to do what he’s achieved, so I tip my hat to him. If it wasn’t for him, KSI and Logan [Paul and] I wouldn’t be doing this.
“[Jake could] choose tougher opponents to battle, however you possibly can’t criticize him as a result of he’s profitable. Not solely he’s profitable the fights, he’s profitable cash and a spotlight and serving to the game of boxing, bringing extra eyeballs to this sport. Personally, I wish to see him battle somebody nearer to his stage, skilled boxers, however on the of the day he’s the one which chooses what he desires to do.
“If individuals on-line need to see him battle another person, why don’t they begin coaching and do it? Individuals like to speak, however by no means go do this sh*t. It’s totally different. I’ve respect for anybody that enters this sport as a result of it’s not simple.”
Saturday’s Misfits occasion options the beginning of the cruiserweight match with Oliveira vs. Brueckner, and the Brazilian feels higher ready being coached by Malik Scott, a retired heavyweight who constructed a professional file of 38-3-1. Scott as soon as challenged Derek Chisora for the WBO heavyweight belt and shared the ring with Deontay Wilder, a person he’s additionally coached up to now.
“He has a superb thoughts for boxing,” Oliveira mentioned of Scott. “I’ve a number of coaching companions there. I’m going to the gymnasium each single day, and I be taught with each single certainly one of them.”
Oliveira mentioned he’s had matches deliberate after which cancelled for each month of 2024 since February, so he’s been in camp for some time now. He hasn’t entered the ring since knocking out Gintaras Zukauskas in September 2023, which lifted him again up after a loss to KSI in January of that very same 12 months.
“I’m extra assured now after my final battle,” Oliveira mentioned. “I anticipated [Zukauskas] to be higher, however he was worse than I imagined. I’m preventing somebody that skilled higher now, has an excellent coach, so, on paper, that is going to be one my hardest fights.
“I’ll keep calm and sensible, making use of strain and ready for the proper second. All the things will likely be alright.”
