Influencer Jake Paul emerged victorious from his boxing fight against legend Mike Tyson on the night of Friday to Saturday. Known thanks to videos on social networks and his multiple controversies, he has become a talented businessman.
It was the event of the night in the United States and much of the world. Influencer Jake Paul, known as “the disruptor”, a boxer in his spare time, fought the legend Mike Tyson, the man with 50 victories, including 44 by knockout, whom he brought out of retirement after 19 years.
Even at the age of 58, “Iron Mike” had shown great strength in training, enough to make fans' mouths water. Especially since the face to face the day before had been more than tense. The influencer had deliberately stepped on Mike Tyson's foot, who responded with a slap.
The more mobile influencer ultimately gained the upper hand to win by unanimous decision.
A look back at the trajectory of this tumultuous young man, born in 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio, and who became famous as a teenager thanks to videos with his brother Logan on the Vine and YouTube platforms. When the premiere closed, Jake Paul had no less than 5.3 million subscribers and 2 billion views.
SOME PRESTIGE VICTORIES IN BOXING, but legitimacy questioned
After trying his hand in particular at music and acting, where he took on the role of Dirk in Frankie and Page on Disney Channel between 2015 and 2018, Jake changed universe. Along with his brother Logan, they decided to take up boxing, fighting against two rival British boxers.
Jake Paul then faced several celebrities, such as former basketball player Nate Robinson, whom he knocked out. Also on his hunt are MMA fighters Ben Askren, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz.
These victories, although prestigious on paper, do not give him any credit, quite the contrary. Fighting legends of another sport, who are also retired, is quite frowned upon by boxing professionals.
Especially since in 2023, for his first fight against a professional boxer, Jake Paul lost in a split decision against Tommy Fury, brother of the legend Tyson Fury. Enough to relaunch the debate on its legitimacy.
That was all it took to pique the pride of the “disruptor”. He returned to the ring three times, against Andre August (10-2), Ryan Bourland (17-3) and Mike Perry (14-8) for three victories (three KOs).
Slip-ups and controversies
In 2020, Jake Paul was at the heart of a controversy for having organized a huge party at his Calabasas villa in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
This same villa was raided a few months later by the FBI, who seized firearms, after the YouTuber appeared on a video in a vandalized shopping center in Arizona during anti-racist protests.
In 2023, “the disruptor” has made a comeback. He and other influencers are being prosecuted by the American market policeman for having advertised cryptocurrencies without having revealed that it was a paid partnership. Paul then agreed to pay $101,887 in restitution and fines, without admitting or denying his guilt.
On the political side, before the American presidential election, Jake Paul called in a video to vote for Donald Trump to “literally save America”.
A talented businessman
Always guided by this passion for boxing, and above all… money, Paul launched into business with Nakisa Bidarian, with whom he created a fight promotion company (“MVP”), which notably counts in its ranks the Puerto Rican Amanda Serrano, one of the best boxers in the world.
At the same time, he invests in young companies, creates a sports betting site, and has just launched a brand of body care products. For his promotion, he uses his more than 20 million YouTube subscribers and 27 million followers on Instagram.
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