In recent years the combat sports industry has entered its “globalization” phase. Both boxing and MMA were once only linked with professional athletes but things have changed. This industry is represented by a number of bright characters now. The most prominent of them, however, is 26-year-old Jake Paul, a blogger and rapper who first stepped in the ring in 2018. For 7 years now he has taken over the world of boxing, facing increasingly renowned opponents. Let’s find out how the “problem child” managed to get here.
Background
Jake spent a long time rapping, acting in TV shows, and creating videos on YouTube. However, in reality, from a young age, Jake, along with his brother, was closely involved with sports. He played basketball, wrestled, and played American football in school. To make a name for himself in show business, Jake had to temporarily leave sports and even drop out of school. Jake’s mother, Pamela Stepnick, shared:
"He didn’t finish his last year of high school, so he wasn’t able to go to the state wrestling championship. That was his goal."
At 18, the young man joined YouTube and Vine, which brought him his first taste of popularity. By 21, the "Problem Child" appeared on Disney, and a year later, he began recording tracks. Now, he’s a true boxing star, a role model for millions who are inspired by him and even place bets on him at various betting sites, which, by the way, can be found along with reviews and rankings at https://slotsspot.com/online-casinos/. You can also find rankings for casinos, crypto casinos, and much more there. But let’s get back to Jake and see how his first boxing debut came about.
Debut in Boxing
At 22 years old, everything one could dream of seemed to have been achieved by Jake. He was in the headlines of the media, had millions of followers on social media, and was earning millions of dollars. But he believed he should put himself to the test and return to sports, precisely boxing.
Jake Paul made his boxing debut on August 25, 2018, alongside his brother Logan, facing the Olatunji brothers—Olajide and Deji. Jake took control from the first round, attacking Deji's body and head. In the fifth round, after Deji began to tire, Jake landed a hook and pinned him against the ropes, causing Deji's corner to throw in the towel. Jake's first professional fight came in early 2020 when he faced Ali Eson Gib and knocked him out in the first round.
The Tactic That Made Jake Paul Famous
Jake Paul managed to choose the simplest strategy for promoting himself in boxing. He fought against individuals with impressive accolades, but who were clearly not on par with him in terms of boxing skills. The first of these was Nate Robinson (a former NBA player), who wanted to prove that a professional athlete, even if not a boxer, could beat the "Problem Child." In November 2020, Jake brutally knocked out Robinson in the second round. Next, he shifted his focus to veterans of mixed martial arts:
- Ben Askren (36-year-old former Bellator champion);
- Tyron Woodley (39-year-old former champion);
- Anderson Silva (47-year-old former UFC champion).
The formula with almost every one of them, except for Silva, was very simple. Paul would insult and humiliate his opponents in a dirty way, then step into the ring and defeat them (he even beat Tyron Woodley twice). Silva was an exception solely due to his venerable age and status in the global sports world. Paul showed respect to the Brazilian both before and after their fight.
This strategy paid off for Paul. He defeated all-time great winners of top MMA promotions, set up his celebrity, and boosted his exposure in the media.
The "Fake War" with Floyd Mayweather
In June 2021, Jake Paul caused a scandal at a press conference by snatching Floyd Mayweather’s cap off his head, which led to threats from the boxer. Logan Paul, his older brother, took this personally and performed well in his fight against Mayweather, lasting all eight rounds. Later, Jake confronted Mayweather again at a basketball game, but fearing a confrontation, he ran away. Jake later admitted that the entire conflict had been staged and that he and Mayweather had agreed on the scenario beforehand.
Final Thoughts
By now hopefully, you understand that Jake Paul’s tactic to fight isn’t to fight to win; it’s to hype, to bring attention to his name. Every action, every word, is designed to do this. Boxing and the media continue to focus on Jake, one of the most talked-about figures in boxing and the media. His reputation is mixed but that does not deter him from staying on the pedestal of a media personality whose fights draw attention and provide him steady income.
