Jake Paul was outboxing, struggling to find his power shots and struggling to solve the shrewd, older champion in front of him in the Anderson Silva game.
Then, finally, in the eighth and final round, Paul brought out a hard right hand which followed a stiff left to the nose of Silva.
This knockdown knocked Silva down to one knee. He responded to provide another two minutes of compelling action, but getting dropped was more than enough margin for 25-year-old Paul.
And while it appeared during the wait that the scorecards would be nasty with the popular YouTuber after an entertaining battle with 47-year-old Silva, the judges instead surprisingly gave Paul a nod by scores of 77- 74, 78-73, 78-73.
“It’s tough to come here and fight a young boy, but I tried my best,” Silva said.
In the win, Paul called up recent UFC main event winner Nate Diaz for a showdown in 2023.
USA TODAY Sports’ Lance Pugmire detailed some of the turn-by-turn action from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona here.
AFTER:Jake Paul shows boxing how to succeed. And he doesn’t listen | Opinion
Round 1
In an arena filled with YouTubers and hundreds of selfie fans powerfully displaying social media influence, the fighter with 20 million YouTube followers entered a boxing ring to compete in the ancient form of hand-to-hand combat. body.
Faced with the over-wise Silva, the exuberant Paul came out spicy. Southpaw Silva stomped on the advances as the crowd roared “Silva!” then Paul delivered a body shot. Silva backed up with a jab to the head, then positioned himself to land a clean left to Paul’s face.
Paul, 10-9
2nd round
What a round! Silva swings wildly and misses with the left. Paul knocks. Silva follows with a clean left. Paul lands a left on a missed right. Silva playfully ducks and dodges Paul’s punches, then gets up to belt Paul with a jab. A Silva right is followed by a big left. Paul responds with a right. Silva hits him again with power left.
Silva 10-9, 19-19
Round 3
Silva clearly plotted to corner Paul and get him back on the ropes, and the strategy worked as he landed some big shots. Paul throws hard punches, but misses the most. Silva makes the most of the boxing match.
Silva, 10-9, Silva, 29-28
Round 4
Paul’s pressure is sincere. He is able to throw a reverse punch, but he does not succeed. Silva goes strong to the body.
Paul, 10-9, 38-38
Round 5
Silva’s boxing acumen shines here as Paul presses for power punches that don’t land.
Silva, 10-9, 48-47
Round 6
Paul is now less confident about getting into a fight with Silva, and the former UFC champ gets the best of a round-deciding last-minute trade again.
Silva, 10-9, Silva 58-56
Round 7
Silva lands a few punches and corners Paul again. Silva’s combinations surround a tough right Paul. Paul misses a wild right.
Silva, 10-9, Silva 68-65
Round 8
Paul finally lands the knockdown right, dropping Silva to his knees. But the former warrior gets up and engages in rallies until the end of the round.
Paul, 10-8, Silva 76-75
OFFICIAL JUDICIAL SCORES: Paul Calderon, 77-74, Paul; Dennis O’Connell, 78-73, Paul; Chris Wilson, 78-73, Paul.
Jake Paul improves to 6-0.