Tony Bellew Warns Jake And Logan Paul Are ‘Risking Their Lives’ Boxing

Tony Bellew has warned that YouTubers Jake and Logan Paul are putting 'their lives at risk' by stepping into the ring.

The retired boxer branded the brothers 'stupid' and claimed they were ruining the reputation of the sport.

Jake has won his three professional bouts, but is yet to face an actual boxer in the ring; whereas his brother Logan has had just one professional match, a loss to fellow YouTuber KSI, but is set to step into the ring with 50-0 former world champion Floyd Mayweather next month.

PA

Giving his opinion on the brothers to BBC Radio 5 Live, Bellew said: "These guys aren't true boxers. They're someone that's having a go at a sport.

"I've got no problem with that. But they shouldn't actually call themselves professional fighters of any magnitude because it's wrong what they're doing to the sport by claiming they are fighters.

"I'm OK with you making a few quid, the only thing I'm going to say here that no one has ever touched upon before and you'll hear it now for the first time... understand, someone's going to get hurt doing this and it's going to come back on boxing.

"Boxing is a professionally dangerous, brutal, business. Do not mess about trying to think this is showbusiness.

"There ain't nothing funny about being in a ring with another man who wants to take your head off your neck. I've been there. I've done it."

PA

Bellew, who is a former WBC world cruiserweight champion, added: "Believe you me someone will get hurt in one of these fights and then that's when it'll all come burning down.

"That's when boxing will be called a joke of a sport; 'this is a disgrace, this is wrong'. Just stop it now.

"The guys are stupid, they're putting their lives at risk."

Bellew isn't the only former boxer to speak about the brothers - three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has slammed the Jake's fight against Ben Askren fight, describing it as 'a farce' in his 'beloved' sport.

Posting on Twitter, Lewis also warned that someone would get hurt.

In a series of tweets, he said: "It reads anyone can get a license doesn't mean they are boxer with skills. Recipe for disaster when someone gets hurt."

He added: "Now we are getting to the root of the problem. License as a professional but with a record of Never fought a professional boxer. This is the farce not my beloved boxing."

Topics: SPORT, Logan Paul, Jake Paul

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19