Conor McGregor has been warned that he would be the underdog and struggle against Jake Paul in a potential fight.
The YouTuber defeated former UFC champion Tyron Woodley by split decision in Cleveland last month and has long had his eye on a showdown with the Dubliner.
Paul is currently in talks with Tommy Fury over a December date but expects to one day face McGregor in a boxing ring, reports The Mirror.
And should McGregor do so, renowned MMA coach Javier Mendez is confident Paul would be the favourite going into the fight.
“Jake has got so many advantages on Conor,” Mendez said in an interview with Betway Insider. “Size being one of the big major ones, and the fact that he’s been boxing for three-plus years with really good boxing professionals that know what they’re doing. So, no, he shouldn’t have to fear Conor whatsoever.
“Instead, he has to fear people like Canelo (Alvarez). He would just smash him in one round. It would be embarrassing. He hasn’t got a chance against those kinds of guys; he really should stay away from him.
"But against Conor, absolutely he has a chance. Looking at the two, Jake’s got big advantages in size and power. Yes, he doesn’t have fight experience, but he’s been strictly just boxing for a long time now. Conor’s not been strictly boxing.”
“I have first-hand knowledge of seeing Jake do his stuff, I have videos that his coaches were sending me, and I have had words with the people that he was sparring with. The guy’s legit. He’s the real deal.
"Don’t get me wrong; he’s not a top level guy. You can’t be top level with three pro fights, but he has skills and he has power and he has great coaching. He really does. And he’s a good athlete, so combine all those together, and he’s gaining momentum.”
Paul has been involved in a back-and-forth social media spat with Fury, who he initially planned to meet in his next contest.
He made him a take-it or leave-it offer to the 22-year-old worth $1 million, which he quickly took to social media to reject.
Paul then quickly made a final declaration video, encouraging him to accept the offer comparing him to Dillon Danis.
His involvement in the sport has raised eyebrows among many, but Mendez, who trained Khabib Nurmagomedov during his unbeaten UFC reign, believes that the pair provide "entertainment".
“I have first-hand knowledge of seeing Jake do his stuff,” Mendez said. “I have videos that his coaches were sending me, and I have had words with the people that he was sparring with. The guy’s legit. He’s the real deal. Don’t get me wrong; he’s not a top level guy.
"You can’t be top level with three pro fights, but he has skills and he has power and he has great coaching. He really does. And he’s a good athlete, so combine all those together, and he’s gaining momentum.”
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