Oleksandr Usyk has urged Jake Paul to quit boxing ( Image: Netflix)

Oleksandr Usyk has given his verdict on Jake Paul ahead of the YouTuber’s fight against Mike Tyson this summer – and it’s safe to say the Ukrainian champion is not a fan

Oleksandr Usyk has thrown a knockout verbal punch at Jake Paul, telling the YouTuber-turned-boxer to “stop boxing” as he gears up for his bout with Mike Tyson.

Paul, known for stepping into the ring against other social media personalities and MMA fighters, is set to face off with Tyson in Texas this summer. The matchup has split opinions in the fight world, with some critics slamming Paul for taking on a 58-year-old.

Ahead of his own mega-fight with Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title later this month, Usyk didn’t mince words about Paul in a promotional clip. When prompted with Paul’s name during a word association game, Usyk said: “Stop boxing”.

The Ukrainian heavyweight champion also weighed in on Paul’s nemesis KSI, labeling him a “blogger”. Like Paul, KSI has also transitioned from YouTube to boxing but is yet to fight a credible opponent in the ring.

Usyk has been itching to throw down with Fury since their initial April last year date was marked. After a series of postponements, including a delay due to Fury’s tough time with Francis Ngannou in October and a cut Fury sustained sparring just before their rescheduled February 17 fight, Usyk is more than ready to rumble.

The highly anticipated fight was locked in for May 18, with both contenders vying to be crowned the first four-belt heavyweight champion and the division’s first undisputed champ since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Usyk is on a quest to mirror Evander Holyfield’s success by claiming the undisputed heavyweight title after dominating the cruiserweight division.

Paul will fight Mike Tyson later this year ( Image: Netflix)

Ahead of the clash, Usyk expressed his uncertainty about the bout actually taking place. “I’m not 100 per cent sure [the fight will happen],” Usyk has said in the build-up. “I will be sure when I’m the ring. I will stand in one corner, Tyson Fury will stand in the opposite corner, between us a referee in a white shirt, and only when I hear the sound of a bell – that’s when I’ll understand that yes, the game is on.”

Fury, on the other hand, exuded confidence about his preparation. He said: “I’m in fantastic shape. I’m having a fantastic training camp and have got a good team around me, everything is going to plan. I’m working very hard, I’ve got my dad in camp this time, so I’ve got my secret weapon. We’ve got a full circus camp, so can’t do any more really.”