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PAUL TOGETHER
Logan Paul’s sparring partners reveal how good YouTuber is in the boxing ring as he prepares for Floyd Mayweather fight
LOGAN PAUL has spent the last year preparing for mission impossible as he faces Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition spectacle.
The YouTuber - who lost his boxing debut in 2019 against KSI - faces all-time great Mayweather on Sunday in Miami.
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And despite the odds being stacked against him like never before, the 26-year-old has left no stone unturned.
He started his training in Los Angeles in the back yard of his 'Maverick Mansion' before relocating to Puerto Rico in February.
Here SunSport takes an exclusive look inside Paul's camp and speaks to sparring partners involved in those secret sessions in both America and the Caribbean island.
Jean Pascal, 35–6–1 (1) light-heavyweight
Pascal is the current WBA 'Regular' light-heavyweight champion and like Paul trains out of Puerto Rico.
He admits to pulling his punches on the novice fighter but was left pleasantly surprised with his skills.
Pascal, 38, said: "Honestly, we helped each other.
"I have a lot more experience than Logan Paul, I've been to the Olympics in 2004 in Greece, I'm a two-time world champion.
"So of course I didn't go all-in on Logan, because he has a fight, I have a fight, but we helped each other, we're not here to get beat up and smash each other.
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"That was good sparring and honestly what people don't know, they think Logan Paul is just a YouTuber, but Logan Paul has got some skills.
"He's got some natural boxing skills, he's athletic, he's a big guy. Floyd is 147-pounds, Logan Paul is probably 200-pounds.
"For the fight he has to be 190, but Floyd's probably going to be 150-160 so that's a huge gap, maybe that gap might make a difference.
"Of course, he's going to fight the best boxer ever, so it's going to be really hard to touch Floyd, but if he can connect - anything can happen.
"That's the beauty of our sport, one punch, a fraction of a second can change the fight."
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Lucas Ruiz, light-welterweight amateur
Ruiz, initially from Philadelphia, is also situated in Puerto Rico and was asked by Paul's trainer Milton Lacroix to help replicate Mayweather's elusive style.
He said: "I'm from Philly, so they teach me the shoulder roll naturally in Philly.
"That's our art, that's our style. But that wasn't really my style of fighting how I fought him, but I did give him a Mayweather look.
"I asked Milton and he told me to give him a Mayweather look so I gave him that style and how to use your shoulder roll, jabs to the body, counter right, hooks."
Ruiz, 24, felt the force of Paul's 6ft 2in frame but said the American is still a nimble mover.
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He added: "He had a good flow and he was letting his hands go and you can tell Milton is getting him right.
"It was great work actually. I thought he was really just a YouTuber, but he can actually fight.
"He's a great athlete, he's got good endurance and to me, if he keeps boxing he can really become somebody. He has natural power.
"Once he learns how to turn his punches right and use more head movement, waist movement, and start actually doing mental games with people in the ring, I think he can become a threat.
"He gave me good work. I fight at 140, but I walk at 150, for his height and weight he made me really push myself. I cannot say I didn't push myself."
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Vlad Panin, 10-1 welterweight
Panin, 25, was recruited by Paul's head coach Lacroix in December after the cornerman watched the prospect spar.
And they hired the welterweight to mimic Mayweather's iconic shoulder roll and evasive footwork.
Panin, who has won five by knockout, revealed Paul has come on leaps and bounds since his scrappy, split-decision loss to internet rival KSI.
He said: "I was definitely surprised, he's improved since his last fight.
"From a distance he's got a good feel, good instincts. He fights with a relaxed style, hands down, he throws his jab from different angles.
"I think it makes for an interesting fight."
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There is a farcical size disparity between Paul and Mayweather, with the social media phenomenon having a TWO STONE weight and SIX INCH height advantage come fight night.
And it could force the usually-cautious Mayweather, 44, to box out of his comfort zone and become the aggressor.
Panin explained: "When you're at a length disadvantage obviously you need to close the gap and come forward and that's what Floyd's going to have to do.
"And that's not Floyd's natural tendency. He's not aggressive unless he has to be so it makes for an interesting fight because it's not 12 rounds so it's going to be at a quicker pace.
"Floyd's going to have to come forward and close the gap."
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Angel Lozano, cruiserweight amateur
Lozano was also scouted after a sparring session of his own, but was brought in to offer a different look.
As a bigger and heavier fighter, he provided the power to make sure Paul can take the heat when the going gets tough - something he passed with flying colours.
Lozano revealed: "I can still move well for a big guy, and I can mimic the Floyd shoulder roll on him.
"Everything is behind the jab with power so I think that's what they like about me. He stays pretty composed, he doesn't panic."
Lozano warned to discredit the ever-improving Paul at your peril - something he experienced first hand.
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He said: ";A lot of people do underestimate him.
"I did at first, because he doesn't have a boxing background, so I kind of went in there like 'he doesn't know what he's doing'.
"But he surprised me, he's pretty sharp and he has some good fundamentals and some good power, for sure.
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"He has good reflexes and he can move for a big guy, that's one of his biggest things, his movement is not bad for how big he is.
"He has some good pop for sure. Every time we spar he shows improvement."
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