NBA Slam Dunk champ, Nate Robinson & YoutuberJake Paul are a mid-card match on the Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fight schedule for Saturday September 12 pay-per-view.
I’m told that the two will fight eight rounds that are scheduled for three minutes apiece. Paul and Robinson will fight in the 185 pound weight .
Nakisa Bidarian and Napoleon “Polo” Kerber negotiated the deal. “I wanted to show that I’m a world class athlete,” Nate Robinson said in a released statement.
“I played college football, played in the NBA for 11 years and I’m excited for this venture into the sport of boxing. Jake Paul, I want all the smoke.”
In an interview with TMZ, Robinson was asked if he’d fight Paul. “If I get trained with somebody like a [Mike] Tyson, [Floyd] Mayweather, [Terence] Crawford, [Vasyl] Lomachenko,” he replied.
“If I fight and I train with some of the best of the best in the world, like please, I don’t think he stands a chance.”
“I am excited to partner with Triller and get in the ring to figh an elite athlete,” says Jake Paul.But make no mistake, on September 12 Nate will meet the canvas early.”
In an email today, online sportsbook MyBookie listed Jake Paul who has a 1-0 record as the favorite in the fight.
Paul’s prior ring experience and tutelage from hall of famer Sugar Shane Mosely likely swayed the initial odds in his favor with a -300 odd. Nate Robinson is listed at +200
After retiring from NBA competition, Nate Robinson was last seen playing in Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league.
Robinson, 36, played both sides of the football at Rainer Beach High School in Seattle, Washington and at James Logan High School in Union City, Washington. The three-time Slam Dunk Champion played a wide receiver, running back and defensive back.
Additionally, Robinson played defensive corner during his freshman year at the University of Washington.
Appearing on a recent episode of #WORDSWITHSCOOP Presented by Orox Leather, Robinson told me that he’d play like to pay in the NFL. “The Seahawks gave me a little tryout,” he said.
“But if I really got with a trainer – if got with Chad Ocho Cinco and worked out with Antonio Brown and went up against some of the best of the best that have good footwork and stuff, I KNOW that I would be able to play in the National Football League.”
Robinson has never boxed professionally. While on #WORDSWITHSCOOP he discussed transitioning from one sport to another. “I mean, anybody can learn it but,” he said.
“It’s just how fast you can comprehend the information and what you’re going to do with it when it’s your turn to actually go out and play and compete.
“I can go and play baseball right now. I’ve never played baseball a day in my life. But if you put me out there with a baseball guy, you would think that I was playing baseball my whole life.”