INDIANAPOLIS – Caleb Williams fully expects to be the first pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Doesn’t mean he’ll be the best pick by a long shot.

“I don’t think I’m not going to be No. 1,” the former USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner said Friday at the league’s annual scouting combine.

“I put in all the hard work. All of the time, effort, energy into being that. I don’t think of a Plan B. That’s kind of how I do things in my life. I don’t think of a Plan B. Stay on Plan A and then when things don’t work out find a way to make Plan A work.”

And, in all likelihood, Plan A is going to pan out just fine for Williams, whether the Chicago Bears or some other team to be determined select him as the initial pick when the draft commences in Detroit on April 25.

Yet his mindset is not a luxury afforded to the league’s quarterback-needy teams, which must always be in contingency-planning mode. And it must be acknowledged that alternate routes often bear sweeter fruit. One doesn’t even have to go back a year, when the Houston Texans were picking second overall in 2023 – many of their fans angered by the fact that former coach Lovie Smith pulled out a win in the 2022 season’s regular-season finale, a victory that cost the franchise the No. 1 pick. So instead of taking Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the Texans were, uh, stuck with Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud … who merely led them to a stunning AFC South title in 2023 while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors following a campaign in which he thoroughly outperformed Young and every other freshman passer.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

And be forewarned, Bears – or whoever goes on the clock first – but, in terms of the past dozen drafts, the first quarterback picked translating into the best quarterback picked has become the exception to the rule. And even when it’s worked out – Kyler Murray (No. 1 pick in 2019) and Trevor Lawrence (No. 1 pick in 2021) – it hasn’t necessarily panned out as the franchise-altering move that might have been anticipated. The Arizona Cardinals’ Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler who’s outshined the likes of Daniel Jones yet has certainly had reliability issues on and off the field while hoping to recapture his pre-injury physical form in 2024. The Jacksonville Jagaurs’ Lawrence has landed in the fairway, unlike his peers in what’s now largely been rendered a highly disappointing 2021 quarterback class. But he’s hardly been the generational prospect who was compared to John Elway, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck before he even left Clemson.

And when one considers Stroud, or Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson (both taken after Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold in 2018), or Patrick Mahomes (taken after Mitch Trubisky in 2017) or late-rounders like Brock Purdy (2022) and Dak Prescott (2016)?

None of this is intended to shade Williams, long presumed to be the 2024 draft’s top pick. He’s unfairly compared to Mahomes, but that does tell you something about his skill set and how he’s regarded. Asked about his size Friday, Williams was quick to note himself that he’s built like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

But as someone who fancies himself a bit of a league historian, I’m already thoroughly comfortable taking the 2024 quarterback field over Williams. Heck, I might even be forced to consider a new prop bet in the coming weeks given how 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU seems to be closing the perception gap on Williams.

Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum agrees.

“This really reminds me of 2004, when you’ve got three really good quarterbacks – that was Eli (Manning), (Philip) Rivers and (Ben) Roethlisberger,” Tannenbaum told USA TODAY Sports.

“I like Caleb Williams a lot. Think he’s dynamic. I don’t like the fact that he leaves the pocket going backwards. He’s been sacked, what, 83 times? Thirty-two fumbles. That’s a concern.”

Tannenbaum also touted the virtues of Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye and even believes Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy will “wind up going in the top six or seven. Somebody will move up for him.”

NFL Network chief draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Williams as his top prospect this year, yet also concedes the former Trojans and Oklahoma Sooners star may not exactly be plug and play.

“There aren’t perfect players. Caleb is not a perfect player,” said Jeremiah. “Caleb is going to require some patience and assembly there. But the ability is off the charts, and what he can be is something that’s extremely exciting.”

Definitely, definitely could be. Yet the same could be said for perhaps another half-dozen other quarterback prospects, to say nothing of the fact a Purdy type could emerge almost out of nowhere. So maybe if you’re Chicago general manager Ryan Poles, you move off that No. 1 pick again. And maybe if you’re a betting man (or Poles), you take the field – or Justin Fields? – over Williams.

Here’s a quick look at several of the quarterback alternatives available in the 2024 draft and how they’re being perceived:

Jayden Daniels, LSU

He can sling it. He can run it. While Williams draws the Mahomes comp, Daniels is being saddled with the Lamar Jackson label. Again, unfair … yet also worth floating that Daniels is a far more advanced passer than Jackson was at this stage – highly accurate, quickly cycles through his reads and rarely makes a mistake. However he does need to subject himself to fewer hits in and outside of the pocket. Still, I’d guess Daniels goes no lower than second overall.

What they’re saying: ‘Chicago has to take a quarterback, and Jayden should be (number) one.’ – ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky

Drake Maye, North Carolina

Big (6-4, 225), mobile and with a strong arm that allows him to deliver the ball from a variety of slots. And while talking to reporters Friday about his various team meetings, Maye gave a glimpse into his instant recall while describing most of them – a drill that’s often a chore for most players navigating the combine fog. However, like Williams, Maye will have to answer questions about a 2023 season that wasn’t as good as his 2022 campaign.

What they’re saying: “I really like Drake Maye a lot. I think Drake Maye provides a little bit of Justin Herbert. And love his size and arm strength.” – Tannenbaum

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

As with pitchers, you better dig deeper than a player’s record. Yet McCarthy’s 27-1 mark with the Wolverines, last season’s national champions, is unequivocally eye-popping. Yes, the copious talent around him rendered him something of a game manager – though none other than Purdy reminds us that’s a good trait. McCarthy is accurate, efficient, athletic, tough, tends to play his best in big moments – and seems to have plenty of upward potential he simply didn’t need to tap into at Michigan, where he averaged fewer than 23 throws per game over the past two seasons.

What they’re saying: “People haven’t seen much, so obviously they’re gonna think the worst. Because that’s how we do it nowadays.” – McCarthy (with a smile) on Friday

Bo Nix, Oregon

He’s not going to get picked nearly as late as Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022. But there are similarities. Nix’s 61 starts between Auburn and the Ducks are an FBS record for quarterbacks. He completed nearly 75% of his passes during two years in Eugene, throwing for 74 TDs (against 10 INTs) and was also an effective runner, especially in the red zone. Big-time field general even if he doesn’t have the biggest arm in the world.

What they’re saying: “I really think that Bo Nix is going to be a starter pretty early on. … People can talk about the ceiling upside. I think his arm is a little bit liver than maybe you give him credit for. He just executed the offense as it was designed (at Oregon).” – Jeremiah

Michael Penix, Washington

The Heisman runner-up to Daniels last season, the talent has been on full display the past two years for the Huskies after Penix transferred from Indiana. His performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (430 yards, 2 TDs passing) was an all-timer, the southpaw lasering the ball over the field. The big questions will be the multiple ACL and shoulder injuries he sustained in college, and it didn’t help that he played poorly against Michigan a week after dissecting the Longhorns. Penix will also be 24 at the start of his rookie season, but the adversity he’s weathered and his experience have burnished his leadership.

What they’re saying: “He is unique because he’s a little high cut, and he has a three-quarter arm slot delivery. So not only is he left-handed, but it looks a little bit different. … But it’s really, really snappy and whippy, and the ball jumps out of his hand.” – Jeremiah

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

INDIANAPOLIS – Caleb Williams fully expects to be the first pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Doesn’t mean he’ll be the best pick by a long shot.

“I don’t think I’m not going to be No. 1,” the former USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner said Friday at the league’s annual scouting combine.

“I put in all the hard work. All of the time, effort, energy into being that. I don’t think of a Plan B. That’s kind of how I do things in my life. I don’t think of a Plan B. Stay on Plan A and then when things don’t work out find a way to make Plan A work.”

And, in all likelihood, Plan A is going to pan out just fine for Williams, whether the Chicago Bears or some other team to be determined select him as the initial pick when the draft commences in Detroit on April 25.

Yet his mindset is not a luxury afforded to the league’s quarterback-needy teams, which must always be in contingency-planning mode. And it must be acknowledged that alternate routes often bear sweeter fruit. One doesn’t even have to go back a year, when the Houston Texans were picking second overall in 2023 – many of their fans angered by the fact that former coach Lovie Smith pulled out a win in the 2022 season’s regular-season finale, a victory that cost the franchise the No. 1 pick. So instead of taking Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the Texans were, uh, stuck with Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud … who merely led them to a stunning AFC South title in 2023 while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors following a campaign in which he thoroughly outperformed Young and every other freshman passer.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

And be forewarned, Bears – or whoever goes on the clock first – but, in terms of the past dozen drafts, the first quarterback picked translating into the best quarterback picked has become the exception to the rule. And even when it’s worked out – Kyler Murray (No. 1 pick in 2019) and Trevor Lawrence (No. 1 pick in 2021) – it hasn’t necessarily panned out as the franchise-altering move that might have been anticipated. The Arizona Cardinals’ Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler who’s outshined the likes of Daniel Jones yet has certainly had reliability issues on and off the field while hoping to recapture his pre-injury physical form in 2024. The Jacksonville Jagaurs’ Lawrence has landed in the fairway, unlike his peers in what’s now largely been rendered a highly disappointing 2021 quarterback class. But he’s hardly been the generational prospect who was compared to John Elway, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck before he even left Clemson.

And when one considers Stroud, or Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson (both taken after Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold in 2018), or Patrick Mahomes (taken after Mitch Trubisky in 2017) or late-rounders like Brock Purdy (2022) and Dak Prescott (2016)?

None of this is intended to shade Williams, long presumed to be the 2024 draft’s top pick. He’s unfairly compared to Mahomes, but that does tell you something about his skill set and how he’s regarded. Asked about his size Friday, Williams was quick to note himself that he’s built like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

But as someone who fancies himself a bit of a league historian, I’m already thoroughly comfortable taking the 2024 quarterback field over Williams. Heck, I might even be forced to consider a new prop bet in the coming weeks given how 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU seems to be closing the perception gap on Williams.

Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum agrees.

“This really reminds me of 2004, when you’ve got three really good quarterbacks – that was Eli (Manning), (Philip) Rivers and (Ben) Roethlisberger,” Tannenbaum told USA TODAY Sports.

“I like Caleb Williams a lot. Think he’s dynamic. I don’t like the fact that he leaves the pocket going backwards. He’s been sacked, what, 83 times? Thirty-two fumbles. That’s a concern.”

Tannenbaum also touted the virtues of Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye and even believes Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy will “wind up going in the top six or seven. Somebody will move up for him.”

NFL Network chief draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Williams as his top prospect this year, yet also concedes the former Trojans and Oklahoma Sooners star may not exactly be plug and play.

“There aren’t perfect players. Caleb is not a perfect player,” said Jeremiah. “Caleb is going to require some patience and assembly there. But the ability is off the charts, and what he can be is something that’s extremely exciting.”

Definitely, definitely could be. Yet the same could be said for perhaps another half-dozen other quarterback prospects, to say nothing of the fact a Purdy type could emerge almost out of nowhere. So maybe if you’re Chicago general manager Ryan Poles, you move off that No. 1 pick again. And maybe if you’re a betting man (or Poles), you take the field – or Justin Fields? – over Williams.

Here’s a quick look at several of the quarterback alternatives available in the 2024 draft and how they’re being perceived:

Jayden Daniels, LSU

He can sling it. He can run it. While Williams draws the Mahomes comp, Daniels is being saddled with the Lamar Jackson label. Again, unfair … yet also worth floating that Daniels is a far more advanced passer than Jackson was at this stage – highly accurate, quickly cycles through his reads and rarely makes a mistake. However he does need to subject himself to fewer hits in and outside of the pocket. Still, I’d guess Daniels goes no lower than second overall.

What they’re saying: ‘Chicago has to take a quarterback, and Jayden should be (number) one.’ – ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky

Drake Maye, North Carolina

Big (6-4, 225), mobile and with a strong arm that allows him to deliver the ball from a variety of slots. And while talking to reporters Friday about his various team meetings, Maye gave a glimpse into his instant recall while describing most of them – a drill that’s often a chore for most players navigating the combine fog. However, like Williams, Maye will have to answer questions about a 2023 season that wasn’t as good as his 2022 campaign.

What they’re saying: “I really like Drake Maye a lot. I think Drake Maye provides a little bit of Justin Herbert. And love his size and arm strength.” – Tannenbaum

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

As with pitchers, you better dig deeper than a player’s record. Yet McCarthy’s 27-1 mark with the Wolverines, last season’s national champions, is unequivocally eye-popping. Yes, the copious talent around him rendered him something of a game manager – though none other than Purdy reminds us that’s a good trait. McCarthy is accurate, efficient, athletic, tough, tends to play his best in big moments – and seems to have plenty of upward potential he simply didn’t need to tap into at Michigan, where he averaged fewer than 23 throws per game over the past two seasons.

What they’re saying: “People haven’t seen much, so obviously they’re gonna think the worst. Because that’s how we do it nowadays.” – McCarthy (with a smile) on Friday

Bo Nix, Oregon

He’s not going to get picked nearly as late as Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022. But there are similarities. Nix’s 61 starts between Auburn and the Ducks are an FBS record for quarterbacks. He completed nearly 75% of his passes during two years in Eugene, throwing for 74 TDs (against 10 INTs) and was also an effective runner, especially in the red zone. Big-time field general even if he doesn’t have the biggest arm in the world.

What they’re saying: “I really think that Bo Nix is going to be a starter pretty early on. … People can talk about the ceiling upside. I think his arm is a little bit liver than maybe you give him credit for. He just executed the offense as it was designed (at Oregon).” – Jeremiah

Michael Penix, Washington

The Heisman runner-up to Daniels last season, the talent has been on full display the past two years for the Huskies after Penix transferred from Indiana. His performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff (430 yards, 2 TDs passing) was an all-timer, the southpaw lasering the ball over the field. The big questions will be the multiple ACL and shoulder injuries he sustained in college, and it didn’t help that he played poorly against Michigan a week after dissecting the Longhorns. Penix will also be 24 at the start of his rookie season, but the adversity he’s weathered and his experience have burnished his leadership.

What they’re saying: “He is unique because he’s a little high cut, and he has a three-quarter arm slot delivery. So not only is he left-handed, but it looks a little bit different. … But it’s really, really snappy and whippy, and the ball jumps out of his hand.” – Jeremiah

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi is aware of the pressure on Inter Miami in 2024. 

He believes Inter Miami has a team capable of winning not just the tournaments it will play this season; Messi says Inter Miami is chasing a championship in MLS as well. 

It will be an arduous challenge with Messi committed to playing with Argentina during this summer’s Copa America 2024. 

But Messi and Inter Miami are off to a fast start. He scored twice, Luis Suárez added two goals, and Inter Miami cruised past Orlando City with a 5-0 victory on Saturday night to improve to 2-1-0 (win-draw-loss) on the season.

“I think that with the pressure on us, we’re conscious of the team, and what we’ve built and we are going to prepare ourselves to fight for the MLS title,” Messi said during a postgame interview with Apple TV. 

“We know that is a long road and it’s just getting started, but the reality is that all of us are aware that we have a group ready to compete and we are going to go for it. It is also important that we start the season off well, especially in the first few games because then the league will pause, and other tournaments will begin.” 

Inter Miami’s next game is Thursday against Nashville SC in the first of two legs in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. Messi and Inter Miami beat Nashville to win the Leagues Cup title last August. 

Messi’s workload will be considerably high with five Inter Miami matches and two matches with the Argentine national team in the next three weeks. But Inter Miami has put itself in a good spot early, sitting on top of the MLS standings after earning seven of nine possible points from its three matches. 

“It’s really good to arrive with a little breathing room at this checkpoint that we set on ourselves,” Messi said. “To start off in this manner and get the most points possible before tournaments like Copa America, Leagues Cup, and everything that is yet to come.”

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Here are Inter Miami’s games in March. All games available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

March 7, at Nashville SC, 9 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup) 
March 10, vs. CF Montréal, 5 p.m. ET 
March 13, vs. Nashville SC, 8:15 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup) 
March 16, at D.C. United, 2 p.m. ET 
March 23, at New York Red Bulls, 2 p.m. ET 
March 30, vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 

When will Messi play with Argentina?

March 22 vs. El Salvador in Philadelphia 
March 26 vs. Costa Rica in Los Angeles

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi is aware of the pressure on Inter Miami in 2024. 

He believes Inter Miami has a team capable of winning not just the tournaments it will play this season; Messi says Inter Miami is chasing a championship in MLS as well. 

It will be an arduous challenge with Messi committed to playing with Argentina during this summer’s Copa America 2024. 

But Messi and Inter Miami are off to a fast start. He scored twice, Luis Suárez added two goals, and Inter Miami cruised past Orlando City with a 5-0 victory on Saturday night to improve to 2-1-0 (win-draw-loss) on the season.

“I think that with the pressure on us, we’re conscious of the team, and what we’ve built and we are going to prepare ourselves to fight for the MLS title,” Messi said during a postgame interview with Apple TV. 

“We know that is a long road and it’s just getting started, but the reality is that all of us are aware that we have a group ready to compete and we are going to go for it. It is also important that we start the season off well, especially in the first few games because then the league will pause, and other tournaments will begin.” 

Inter Miami’s next game is Thursday against Nashville SC in the first of two legs in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. Messi and Inter Miami beat Nashville to win the Leagues Cup title last August. 

Messi’s workload will be considerably high with five Inter Miami matches and two matches with the Argentine national team in the next three weeks. But Inter Miami has put itself in a good spot early, sitting on top of the MLS standings after earning seven of nine possible points from its three matches. 

“It’s really good to arrive with a little breathing room at this checkpoint that we set on ourselves,” Messi said. “To start off in this manner and get the most points possible before tournaments like Copa America, Leagues Cup, and everything that is yet to come.”

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Here are Inter Miami’s games in March. All games available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

March 7, at Nashville SC, 9 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup) 
March 10, vs. CF Montréal, 5 p.m. ET 
March 13, vs. Nashville SC, 8:15 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup) 
March 16, at D.C. United, 2 p.m. ET 
March 23, at New York Red Bulls, 2 p.m. ET 
March 30, vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 

When will Messi play with Argentina?

March 22 vs. El Salvador in Philadelphia 
March 26 vs. Costa Rica in Los Angeles

Jake Paul scored a first-round TKO, battering Ryan Bourland before the referee called the fight at 2:37 Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Paul, 27, improved to 9-1 (with 6 KO’s) while stopping his opponent in the first round in a second consecutive fight.

Bourland, 35, fell to 17-3.

Paul, who predicted a second-round knockout in the cruiserweight fight, was coming off a first-round knockout against Andre August Dec. 15.

Paul came out firing jabs before landing an assortment of blows — body shots, rights and uppercuts — before Bourland found himself kneeling on the canvas with the referee waving off the contest before the end of the round.

Paul landed 24 punches to just three for Bourland, according to the DAZN broadcast team.

Jake Paul calls out Canelo Alvarez

After the fight, Paul called out Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight world champion.

‘I’m ready for the big leagues,’ Paul said. ‘I’m getting sharp. This is my life now. Like I said, I’m on the road to world champion, and Canelo, stop ducking. I know you want it. …

‘I want Canelo. I want all the biggest names.’

Jake Paul calls himself the face of boxing

Paul called himself “the face of this sport.’’

“Truly,’’ he continued during an in-ring interview on the DAZN broadcast. “Who’s doing more for boxing than me? I keep proving myself time and time again. The most followed boxer. The most viral KO’s, period. And that’s just facts. Nobody can deny that.’

What’s next for Jake Paul?

Paul, who has talked about the possibility of a mixed martial arts bout against the likes of Nate Diaz, said he’s open to a “money fight.’’

“…’cause those are fun,’’ Paul said. “But for now I’m staying on the path to fighting real fighters and increasing the level of opposition.’’

Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland highlights

Jake Paul defeats Ryan Bourland (first round TKO)

Bourland fires first – a jab that misses. Jake countering with his own jabs. Bourland showing no hesitancy. Jake connects with a right hand to the body. But Bourland still moving forward. Jake to the body again. Bourland still coming. Straight into a couple of Jake jabs. Jake lands a big right. Bourland wobbling. Jake winding up, showboating. Just unloading. Bourland trying to survive. Jake landing more big blows. It’s over. Referee calls it off!

FIGHT OVER. Paul wins via TKO at 2:37 of the first round.

Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke fight called off

Amanda Serrano’s fight was called off because of an eye injury, Jake Paul announced in the ring. Serrano, who was set to defend her unified featherweight championship against Nina Meinke sobbed in the ring during the announcement. Paul said the injury was an exposed cornea that could have cost Serrano her vision.

Why was Amanda Serrano fight called off?

Statement from Most Valuable Promotions, which was co-founded by Paul and represents Serrano:

“Amanda Serrano has unfortunately been declared medically unfit by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission to fight tonight due to an eye injury she sustained yesterday. She is devastated that she won’t be able to perform in front of her hometown fans, but despite wanting to go out and put on a show, the Commission said there is no way she can fight with her eye in its current condition.

“The decision equally affects Nina Meinke (who was scheduled to fight Serrano) and MVP will be paying her fight purse in full. MVP and Amanda would like to apologize to everyone in attendance and the company will provide full refunds for all those seeking it. Details to follow on the ticket refund process.

“Amanda is proud of the way her fellow MVP teammates have competed tonight, she appreciates the love and support of her fans, and hopes to return to the ring soon.’’

Jonathan Gonzalez defends WBO junior flyweight title

Jonathan Gonzalez defended his WBO junior flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Rene Santiago.

The bout went the full 12 rounds as Gonzalez made his fourth title defense.

The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 117-111.

‘Euphoria’ actor Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton booed after majority draw

The four-round bout ended in a majority draw, and with the crowd expressing its disdain for Walton, the 17-year-old actor who fought conservatively in his second pro fight.

Two judges scored the fight 38-38 and the third judge scored it 39-37, resulting in a majority draw between Walton and 32-year-old Torres.

Restless over a lack of activity in the ring, the crowd was booing by the end of the first round. At one point spectators chanted “Fuera,’’ urging the fighters to exit the ring.

“I personally think I took this one, but the decision is what it is,’’ Walton said, and the boos began to rain down again.

Walton (1-0-1) won his pro debut Dec. 23 with a first-round knockout. But he struggled to land any solid punches against Torres (0-1-2). He said Torres was tougher than he expected.

“And you know, fighting on this stage, there’s some nerves that come with it for sure,’’ he said. “It’s not like anybody can just step up here and fight in front of this many people.’’

The boos built to a crescendo as he said, “It’s a hard thing to do.’’

Walton insisted he’ll continue to pursue a pro boxing career. “Absolutely,’’ he said.

Krystal Rosado defeats Gloria Munguilla

Krystal Rosado, a 21-year-old Puerto Rican, beat 32-year-old Gloria Munguilla in a four-round super flyweight bout by majority decision, 38-38, 40-36, 40-36.

Rosado absorbed several punches but dished out enough punishment to improve to 3-0 (1 KO). Munguilla, who lives in Los Angeles, dropped to 5-1.

Jake Paul arrives in a helicopter

Jake Paul arrived by helicopter, which touched down at about 7:30 p.m. ET outside the venue, Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot. The aircraft bore the letters “MVP,’’ for Most Valuable Promotions, the company Paul co-founded. Inside the arena, the first of five fights on the main card was underway.

What time does Jake Paul fight tonight?

The Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland card will begin at 7 p.m. ET. The fight will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Jake Paul fight live stream

The Paul-Bourland fight can be streamed on DAZN (Watch Now).

Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland fight card

Featherweight: Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke

Featherweight: Pedro Marquez Medina vs. Brandon Valdes

Super Featherweight: Christopher Diaz vs. Headley Scott

Cruiserweight: Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland

Featherweight: Javon Walton vs. Joshua Torres

Light Flyweight: Jonathan Gonzalez vs. Rene Santiago

Junior Bantamweight: Krystal Rosado vs. Gloria Munguilla

Welterweight: Elijah Flores vs. Alejandro Munera