It may finally be time to give a little respect to Jake Paul's boxing as the social media star passed his toughest test to date by beating former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on Sunday night by split decision. The judges scored the bout 77-75, 75-77, 78-74. The scores were somewhat surprising as it appeared to Seattle Fights that Paul won all but the 4th and possibly 5th and 8th rounds. Round 4 was clearly Woodley's round as he hurt Paul with a big right hand that nearly sent Paul through the ropes. And while Paul never hurt Woodley during the fight, he seemed to be in control for most of the fight as he was more active and landed more combinations. The following is a brief analysis of each round.

Round 1

Woodley opens the round with low crouching stance. Woodley scored early in the round with a nice jab to the body. Paul answered a bit later with a right hand to the body of his own. The first round saw Woodley content to stay mostly inactive and on the outside. Paul scored with a double jab and right hand to the body midway through the round. This was clearly Paul's round as Woodley only threw 6 punches in the round as Paul threw 21.

Round 2

The slow pace to this fight continued in Round 2 as neither man did a whole lot. Woodley once more appeared to be content to stay on the outside for most of this round. Paul used his jab, punching from range. Halfway through the round Woodley landed a nice jab, but did not follow it up with any punches. Woodley appearing a bit too patient. With a minute left in the round Woodley charged forward, missing a big right hand. Paul then landed a couple of jabs which backed up Woodley. Late in the round, Paul landed a nice combination started with a right hand to the body, followed by a left hand upstairs.

Round 3

Paul starts off Round 3 with a solid right hand to the body. A minute into the round, Paul landed another nice right hand to the body as part of a three punch combination. Attacking the body clearly seems to be part of Paul's strategy. With a minute left in the round Paul lands a nice uppercut. Woodley landed a solid straight right hand at the bell that split the guard of Paul. Paul, however, did not appear to be fazed by the punch.

Round 4

Woodley looking more comfortable in Round 4 as he presses forward aggressively to start the round. In the first three rounds, Woodley was far too inactive. Early in the round, however, Woodley lands one of his first effective counterpunches of the fight with a nice left hook. From the clinch Woodley lands a nice short right hand. Midway through the round Paul continues to work Woodley's body as he lands a nice right hand to the midsection. Paul then lands another nice combination starting with a right hand to the body followed by a left upstairs. Woodley continues to walk Paul down but without doing much offensively. With one minute left in the round Woodley cracks Paul with a big right hand that nearly sends Paul through the ropes! Woodley follows up with a double jab that connects. Woodley is clearly feeling himself as he twirls his right hand in the air while he pursues Paul. Paul is clearly stunned but is able to move his feet and make it to the end of the round.

This was clearly Woodley's round as he might have scored a knockdown if Paul didn't have the ropes to fall back on.

Round 5

Woodley presses forward aggressively to start Round 5 and lands a good right hand to the body. Thirty seconds into the round Woodley lands a clean uppercut that snaps Paul's head back. Early in the round Woodley is bouncing confidently. One minute into the round Woodley lands a nice lead right hand. Paul appears to be getting tired and is now carrying his hands low. Woodley, however, appears to let his foot off the gas in the second half of the round. Paul scores with a left jab to the body and follows with a hard counter left hook. Paul then directs some trash talk to Woodley. Woodley lands a few nice jabs late in the round.

Round 6

Woodley pressing forward aggressively to start the round, but as with most of the fight is not throwing or landing enough offense. Midway through the round, Paul lands a nice jab. Both fighters appear tired. Likely down on the scorecards, Woodley appears nowhere near urgent enough.

Round 7

Time clearly is running out for Woodley early in this round as he is not throwing nearly enough punches. Woodley, however, lands a solid left hook at the end of the first minute of the round. Paul with a nice jab with a little less than one minute to go in the round. Paul lands another solid jab. Late in the round Paul lands a big right hand counter off a Woodley jab.

Round 8

Woodley appears to sense he may be down on the scorecards as he starts the round aggressively. The fighters exchange some wild haymakers early in the round but nothing appeared to land cleanly. Paul smartly engaging in the clinch game as he takes time off the clock. Paul lands a solid jab halfway through the round. Unfortunately, Woodley's early aggression did not last as he continues to lack a sense of urgency. Woodley, does however land a nice right hand late in the round.

 This post is ad-supported
​