Piers Morgan has accused Jake Paul of ‘killing boxing’ after he beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr over ten uneventful rounds.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, 28, followed up his previous controversial victory over 58-year-old icon Mike Tyson with a comfortable victory over Chavez Jr.
But the bout has been widely criticised as Chavez Jr appeared unwilling to throw punches in the early rounds.
The 39-year-old Mexican, son of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, did become more active in the final two rounds but by then Paul was already way ahead on the judges’ scorecards.
Paul was awarded a unanimous decision with scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92 and proceeded to cup his ears to booing fans in the sold-out Honda Center in Anaheim.
‘All the boos are words, but actions speak louder than words,’ said Paul before telling the crowd to ‘shut up’.
‘It was flawless. I think I only got hit 10 times. He’s been in with [Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez] and all those guys, and I embarrassed him like that. Easy work.’
Chavez Jr is a former middleweight world champion but lost to 46-year-old former UFC star Anderson Silva four years ago.
Piers Morgan was quick to react to the ‘boring staged’ fight and accused Paul of ‘killing boxing’ and ‘lining his pockets’ by beating ‘older fighters way past their prime’.
‘BREAKING: I had a better fight with Jake Paul on Thursday than the unwatchable farce that took place tonight,’ he said in reference to a recent interview in which Paul stormed off.
‘The guy’s lining his pockets with buckets of $$$$ – but he’s killing boxing with this boring staged b******t against older fighters way past their prime.’
Paul has now won 12 of his pro fights, with his sole defeat coming against Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy, of Love Island fame.
The ‘Problem Child’ called out Fury for a rematch after the final and said he was also keen to step into the ring with WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez or WBC belt-holder Badou Jack.
Speaking on DAZN, Paul said: ‘I want tougher fighters. I want to be world champion.
‘Badou Jack. I want everybody. Anthony Joshua, Gervonta (Davis). And Tommy (Fury), stop running.
‘I’m hustling, getting warmed up. You’ve already seen my face hella. Get used to seeing it more.’
Asked when he wants to return to action, Paul added: ‘As soon as possible. I’m staying active, I’m fighting everybody.’
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr reacts to his son’s defeat to Jake Paul
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr looked deflated as he watched on from ringside as his son was dominated by Paul.
But he insisted he was ‘proud’ of Jr after the defeat and said he ‘gave a good fight’.
‘Julio is a champion and he’s a champion because he overcame a lot,’ the 62-year-old said.
‘Julio, yes, honestly, I feel proud, really, because after coming from such difficult, complicated years, to step into a ring and defeat those demons, you understand?
‘Honestly, I feel happy, proud, because he gave a good fight. He didn’t lose the fight, he gave away the fight in the early rounds, you understand?
‘Because he won the last rounds, my son. That was very clear. But look, the most important thing is that he’s clean, he’s healthy, and this is the beginning, the beginning of a rebirth.
‘Because, man, after so many years with that addiction, you understand? And to come back to a ring after almost two years without fighting, honestly, I congratulate my son.
‘The whole crowd, the whole crowd is happy with him. What matters is that my son is healthy. He gave a good fight.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.