Shannon Briggs has known Jake Paul longer than most in boxing. The former world heavyweight champion has witnessed first-hand the rise of the YouTuber-turned-boxer, leading up to next week’s showdown against boxing legend Mike Tyson.

Paul faces Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 15, in a fight that has divided opinion because “Iron Mike” is now 58 years old and has not competed professionally since 2005.

That’s a stark contrast to Paul, 27, who has had 11 professional fights since making his debut in 2020, with Briggs part of the training team “The Problem Child” worked with during the early part of his career.

With that in mind, Briggs knows firsthand how much skill Paul has, and ‘The Cannon’ needed just one word when speaking to The Fumble to answer whether Paul’s skill would allow him to challenge for a world title soon.

“No”.

Briggs then explained how he arrived at that assessment.

“I think if I would have continued with my plan, I’m not trying to sound selfish, but I had a plan that they were part of, to fight MMA guys, that’s what I told them.

“He fought MMA guys, they have a bigger fan base and they’re not really good at boxing, that’s the best way to build yourself up, then he fought Tommy Fury and got beat up and that ruined him.

“Could he have become a contender? Yes. I’m not going to say it’s too late, but what makes a champion is pain, they’re not dealing with the lack of pain. Can you become a legitimate contender without that? It’s very unlikely.”