Jake Paul’s victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was always going to be newsworthy, but the real surprise came after the final bell.
In a move that few saw coming, Deji Olatunji, the younger brother of KSI and one of Paul’s early rivals, offered public praise for Paul’s performance.
For a sport built on grudge matches and social media bravado, this rare display of sportsmanship added a twist to the ever-evolving influencer boxing narrative.
Rewind to August 2018, when influencer boxing was still a novelty. Jake Paul and Deji made their pro boxing debuts on the undercard of the first KSI vs. Logan Paul event.
Paul took the win by TKO in the fifth round, but Deji’s willingness to fight back against the YouTube star earned him respect, even in defeat.
Since then, the Paul and Olatunji families have kept their rivalry alive, with KSI and Jake Paul trading shots on social media and stoking fan interest for a fight that remains in limbo.
Over the years, Jake Paul has turned influencer boxing into his own business, building a resume that includes wins over retired MMA fighters and a handful of professional boxers.
KSI, meanwhile, has fought fewer times but remains a central figure in the scene, keeping his focus on both music and boxing.
Despite the ongoing feud between KSI and Jake Paul, Deji’s relationship with Jake has evolved, marked by his honest reactions in the wake of Paul’s bouts.
A show of respect in the midst of rivalry
After Jake Paul’s recent unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Deji took to social media with a simple message: “Fair play to Jake Paul, actually looked really good.”
Coming from someone who has felt Paul’s punches firsthand, this statement cut through the noise of online criticism.
For a moment, the animosity between the Olatunji and Paul camps gave way to mutual respect – at least between these two former opponents.
Paul’s victory over Chavez Jr. was clear on the scorecards, with all three judges awarding him the fight. Chavez Jr., once a world champion and son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, was passive for much of the contest.
He landed just 61 punches to Paul’s 140, unable to match the younger fighter’s energy until it was too late.
While Paul dominated inside the ring, outside of it he faced boos and criticism, with some spectators dismissing the fight as “rigged” and others questioning the quality of Paul’s opponents.
A divisive win and boxing’s new era
Controversy followed Jake Paul even after the win, as fans pointed out that ticket prices had dropped sharply in the lead-up to the event.
Some seats reportedly sold for as little as $10, prompting speculation that the demand for influencer boxing had finally cooled.
Yet those cheap tickets led to a packed house and a record-setting live gate of $1.57 million at the Honda Center, according to veteran boxing journalist Lance Pugmire.
Despite the backlash, Paul’s team celebrated the turnout and revenue, underscoring that the influencer-turned-fighter still knows how to fill arenas – even when the critics are loudest.
Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions suggested that Paul could even receive a WBC ranking, as he matched the result of another world contender against a seasoned veteran.
The impact goes beyond the numbers. Deji’s praise for Paul signals a subtle shift in influencer boxing’s culture. For all the trash talk and rivalries, there is room for respect among competitors.
As Paul looks ahead to future fights and KSI continues to chase his own milestones, the influencer boxing world remains unpredictable and, for now, united by the spectacle.
Jake Paul’s ability to command attention, both positive and negative, has transformed boxing’s business model in the digital age.
For Deji to acknowledge that, especially in such a public way, hints that the lines between rivalry and respect are more blurred than ever before.
In a sport where hype often trumps skill, moments like this remind fans that at the end of the day, it’s still about showing up and proving yourself in the ring.
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