Jake Paul finishes Andre August with vicious first-round KO

Jake Paul scored a first-round knockout of Andre August Friday night in Orlando, Fla., to signal the second act of his boxing career as he looks to establish himself as a cruiserweight title contender.

Paul (8-1, 5 KOs) uncorked a right uppercut that caught August and bounced him to the canvas head first. The referee stopped the fight with 28 seconds remaining in the first round.

“I set up my shot and it went away at night,” said Paul, accompanied by his brother Logan Paul, the WWE United States champion. “It's all part of the process, the next step towards becoming world champion. Obviously these guys can't stay with me.”

Paul's first six fights were crossover events against former MMA fighters. His seventh was his first loss, a decision loss to Tommy Fury, the brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Friday night's fight indicated a change in direction, a clash intended to gain experience for Paul rather than notoriety as he looks to campaign for a 200-pound belt.

August (10-2-1, 5 KOs) returned in August to score a decision in a six-round fight to end a nearly four-year absence. The 35-year-old represented Paul's most experienced foe to date.

“Right now, I'm focused on being the best in the world and creating one of the biggest sports stories in sports history: being able to become a Disney Channel World Champion,” Paul said. . “Now I’m laser.”

Crews-Dezurn upsets Green

Franchon Crews-Dezurn upset Shadasia Green to regain the WBC super middleweight title in the co-feature. The scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93.

Crews-Dezurn (9-2, 2 KOs) and Green (13-1, 11 KOs) were fighting for the 168-pound title that became available after an injured Savannah Marshall was named champion in recess.

Baltimore's Crews-Dezurn, 36, entered the fight ranked No. 3 by ESPN at 168 pounds while New Jersey's Green, 34, was No. 2.