Sergey Kovalev waved goodbye to the game following his seventh-round stoppage win over Artur Mann back in April. While he’ll no longer be fighting for titles, there's a different challenge he may be interested in.

When it comes to Jake Paul, you either love him or you hate him. There’s no in-between. The former YouTuber turned boxer tends either to face retired MMA fighters or well-known boxers past their prime.

That trend continued in his last two fights when he took on former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, who just turned 59. Most recently, he beat 39-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, who hasn’t won a meaningful fight in over a decade and has been woefully inactive.

For years now, Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has attempted to convince the boxing world that he’s the real deal. Kovalev, by and large, agrees that Paul is a pretty good boxer. However, that statement comes with a caveat.

“He’s a good boxer with no names,” Kovalev explained to Seconds Out.

Nearly a decade ago, pound-for-pound lists couldn’t be formed without having Kovalev mentioned somewhere amongst the top five. Eventually, thanks to losses to Andre Ward, Eleider Alvarez, and Canelo Alvarez, his star power faded, and his skills diminished.

Kovalev’s retirement is still in its infancy and life without getting punched in the face feels great. He gulps down extra meals and has no problem showing off his new gut.

The days of cutting weight and preparing for fights are over. Well, at least they might be.

Kovalev has no intention of jumping through those ropes again. Unless, of course, it’s Jake Paul. If he isn’t interested, then so be it. However, from his point of view, Paul needs someone of his caliber.

“Jake, if you’re going to be a real fighter. Let’s fight. Let's do it.”