Since he was 21, Jake Paul, 26, has been relentless in proving his name in the boxing ring. Beginning his career on Vine by displaying his carefree and sociable nature, Paul quickly gained fandom. Though he spent his first years in the limelight on social media making content, Paul made the change to boxing in 2018. Now, with countless training sessions behind him, dedicated to making his physical and mental stronger, Paul has demonstrated his strength in the MMA world.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Paul spoke on his decision to make the change to boxing saying, “Showing up and working your a** off, being alert. I don’t know what else could really compare to being a professional fighter. I think it’s probably the hardest thing in the world you could possibly do. When I got the opportunity to box when I was 21, it brought back the old Jake Paul. It brought back the competitive, athletic Jake Paul. I just fell in love with it. When I won my first boxing match, it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced in my life.” With his head on straight, he seemed more than prepared to take on the new lifestyle.
Jake Paul’s Fame Came Well Before Boxing
Your favorite problem child, born in Cleveland, Ohio, first stepped on the scene with his hilarious and daring videos. From there, he was able to gain enough momentum to be cast in the 2016 Disney Channel comedy series, BizaardVark. The series went on for three seasons, but Paul’s growing social media accounts were what really struck the public, causing him to gain a net worth of roughly $30 million.
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Paul’s life before boxing was like a scene out of the movie Project X. With his endless partying, dangerous stunts, and controversial coverage, Paul was soon to end his mischievous ways and focus more on his entrepreneurship. Though he was successful on YouTube, making $21.5 million in revenue in 2018, ranking him on Forbes as the second highest-paid YouTuber, he ended most of his online persona to focus on something that would transform his life for nothing but the better.
However, before his boxing career began, Paul delved into the music industry. Already a household name, Paul was able to gain an abundance of success through his musical genius. In 2016, with efforts to create an influencer marketing company for like-minded individuals, he financed $1 million to launch the entertainment company, Team 10. With help from outside investors, his music space was able to manifest. Paul’s first single “It’s Everyday Bro,” was released in 2017 and before the year was over, it was already certified platinum and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Releasing more music in years to come, Paul had hit after hit with songs that he and his team performed in North America. Though his flow came easy, he put the music to the side after releasing the 2020 singles “23” and “Fresh Outta London.” This time, the route of his focus was evident. He was done with the social media world and ready to begin his career as a certified MMA boxer.
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Jake Paul Started His Boxing Career With Knockout Wins
Entering the boxing world in his debut match on August 25, 2018 against amateur white-collar boxer Deji Olatunji, Paul defeated his first contender in a fifth-round knockout. Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul was by his side to contend against KSI. Paul was soon to gain success in his professional boxing career as intended when he had his second match just a year later in 2019 against YouTuber and boxer AnEsonGib, also known as Gib. He defeated Gib in a first-round TKO at 2:18 into the match. Now Jake Paul proved his place in the professional world.
Paul at this time was 2-0. His next match was against professional basketball player Nate Robinson, 38, as a minor undercard in a Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match where boxers do not compete for competition, but rather to showcase their skills as a boxer. Paul defeated Robinson in a second-round knockout at 1:24 minutes into the match. Displaying his muscles in the ring, he continued to stay undefeated.
Jake Paul’s revenue Began To Climb.
After his 2020 exhibition match, he faced MMA Champion Ben Askren in a highly anticipated 2021 boxing face-off. Paul won in a TKO during the first round only 1:59 minutes in. As his confidence grew, so did his finances. In 2021 Paul garnered $45 million in revenue to rank him, again, as Forbes second highest-paid YouTuber that year. Though his time was spent preparing for boxing and most of his content revolved around that same concept, he was still able to remain not only successful in his online career, but the beginning of his boxing career as well.
Paul’s antics caused his next roundup to take place. After mocking UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley on his boxing capabilities, Woodley called out the problem child. Paul accepted the offer to fight Woodley and he ended up winning, again. Though it was a split decision, Paul was still doing everything he could to make his mark as a boxer.
Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury Match
When his next match was supposed to be against professional boxer Tommy Fury, Woodley stepped up to face Jake Paul when Fury pulled out for medical reasons. In a rematch of Paul vs Woodley, Paul took home another boxing win in a 6th-round KO. Looking to face Fury for reasons beyond boxing ability, a feud between Paul and Fury quickly gained steam before their highly anticipated match on February 26, 2023. Though Paul would come to defeat UFC champion Anderson Silva before facing off against Fury, Paul unfortunately had his first loss in a close match against Fury, resulting in a split decision. Though Paul may have lost the fight, he is confident in his luck against Fury for a rematch in the near future — and why not, he made $30 million for his contendership.
"I'll come back. I think we deserve that rematch."@jakepaul wants to run it back with Tommy Fury 🔜 #PaulFury pic.twitter.com/ifScegGO7k
— ESPN (@espn) February 26, 2023
Jake Paul’s fight against Fury essentially doubled Paul’s net worth from $30 million to $60 million. Though he is no longer undefeated in the ring, his loss seemingly has rounded him out even more as a better boxer than before. After his fight with Fury, Paul says, “I made it farther than I ever thought I would, and beyond. This is definitely a humbling experience; I’ll take it on the chin and get back in the gym and we can run it back. Because I think we put an amazing show on for the fans tonight.” With that being said, there’s definitely more of Jake Paul the cruiserweight boxer that we haven’t seen yet, and he’s ready to prove himself, just as he has always done before.
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