Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, has once again disrupted the combat sports world with a pair of shocking revelations. Earlier this month, Paul etched his name into boxing history by defeating the legendary Mike Tyson.
The gruelling eight-round contest ended in a unanimous decision victory for Paul, making him only the seventh person to overcome Tyson in a professional fight. This marked his fifth consecutive win, further solidifying his status as a rising figure in the boxing world.
While the fight faced its share of criticism, it was a commercial triumph, drawing over 100 million views on Netflix. As anticipation grew around Paul’s next opponent-with Mexican boxing icon Canelo Alvarez frequently mentioned-Paul surprised fans by announcing his retirement from influencer boxing.
Influencer boxing is different from professional boxing
Paul’s retirement from influencer boxing was confirmed through a post by Most Valuable Promotions, where he was hailed as the greatest to ever compete in that space.
The post reflected on Paul’s undefeated 2-0 record in influencer matches, including his 2018 victory against Deji Olatunji and a 2020 win over AnEsonGib. Both matches were officially sanctioned, lending credibility to his early career.
Influencer boxing, which relies on fame over technical skill, has often been criticized, yet Paul used it as a springboard to transition into professional boxing. His decision to leave this chapter behind suggests a focus on cementing his legacy in traditional boxing, with potential high-profile fights looming.
Amid speculation about a clash with Canelo Alvarez, UFC President Dana White has expressed doubts. White, a long-time critic of Paul, dismissed the idea of Paul posing a real challenge to the Mexican superstar. In an interview with Shannon Sharpe, White called Canelo “still the man” and predicted the fight would be an easy payday for the boxing champion.
Despite White’s skepticism, Paul’s rise in the sport is undeniable. Whether he faces Canelo or continues his verbal sparring with figures like White, Jake Paul remains a divisive yet captivating figure in the world of combat sports.
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