First known on social networks, Jake Paul’s life took a turn around 2020 where he turned to English boxing. After eleven professional fights (for ten victories), its legitimacy is still called into question. During the night from Friday to Saturday, the influencer faces the legend Mike Tyson (58 years old), in a fight which continues to cause controversy.
“The Disruptor”. His nickname suits him so well. Who else but him, Jake Paul, to succeed in bringing Mike Tyson out of retirement, 19 years later, for a lucrative fight. On the night of this Friday November 15 to Saturday November 16, the native of Ohio (United States) will face the legend Iron Mike in a professional fight of eight two-minute rounds.
Known for his provocative side, the youngest of the Paul siblings managed to get his 31-year-old eldest to unpin him during a face-to-face meeting, increasing the pressure a few hours before this “money show” (a fight where the money takes over sporting issues). Youngest heavyweight champion in history, known for his unique punch… Mike Tyson no longer needs to be introduced, unlike Jake Paul, known mainly to young audiences.
A true network star
It all started at the age of 16 for Jake who began sharing videos on the Vine application (the ancestor of Tiktok in a way) with his brother Logan Paul. His videos have been viewed billions of times, but in 2016, the brothers from Ohio turned to YouTube. A paid choice, since the brothers are gaining in popularity, to today being followed by more than 40 million people cumulatively on the platform.
Between 2016 and 2019, the very American style videos were a hit, their eccentricity continued to please, but the Paul brothers then decided to evolve and both turned to the ring. A world that seems very distant from theirs, but which ultimately remains linked… with money. If the eldest, Logan (29 years old) went into wrestling (where he became one of the superstars and champion of the WWE), the youngest, Jake (27 years old) chose English boxing.
Boxing star, but not yet recognized in the industry
Before fully entering this environment, the American influencer first confronted other stars from his first environment. The fights go by, its popularity increases and a “hype” (craze) is created. With Covid as a tipping point, Jake Paul finally launches into the professional world of the noble art. If he remains undefeated after his first six fights (including four KOs), “the disruptor” (his nickname) is constantly called into question. Coming from the internet world, a label is constantly stuck on his forehead, but above all, the adversaries he faces give him almost no legitimacy, on the contrary. Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva… they are former MMA champions, of course, but retired. Worse still, Jake Paul even confronted a former NBA basketball player, Nate Robinson (who was 36 years old during the fight) in the ring…
Impatience took over, fans began to let it be known: they wanted real boxers opposite him in the ring. The network star listens, fights Tommy Fury (half-brother of the legend Tyson Fury), falls for the first time and loses his invincibility. But it is clear that Jake has the answer and faced fighters (slightly more) anchored in this environment: Andre August (10-2), Ryan Bourland (17-3) or even Mike Perry (14-8 ), for three victories (three KOs).
Paul’s guideline in boxing is clear: “money shows” (fights where money takes precedence over sporting issues). And this is not his twelfth professional fight which will deviate from the rule. Opposed this night to Mike Tyson (58 years old), Jake is once again the big favorite.
Provocative and in big controversies
Throughout his career, the American flirted with the limit, even from the start. After his Vine videos gave him some visibility, the influencer got a role in the Disney series “Frankie and Paige”. His behavior pushes the company to fire him. On YouTube, some of his vlogs (videos where he films his daily life) go viral. Later, in 2020, the FBI searched his home as part of an investigation into “allegations of criminal acts”… and found firearms.
In his new environment, boxing, the Cleveland native is very provocative. And he proved it again this week, where he made fun of his future opponent: Mike Tyson on multiple occasions. During the press conference, for example, he came with a diamond ear protector. A jewel estimated at nearly 100,000 euros, linked to the terrible bite of Iron Mike on the right ear of Evander Holyfield in 1997. That night, the face-to-face between the two boxers also degenerated. After Jake Paul provoked him, Tyson slapped him. “Now it’s personal! It’s personal and HE MUST DIE!”, screamed the young influencer/boxer. Enough to add a little more fire to the powder before this fight, which will be broadcast on Netflix during the night from Friday to Saturday.
