Controversial YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul has made a huge impact on the boxing world, in an unconventional way. Rather than make his way through the ranks like most rookies, he instead opted for lucrative fights against aging UFC veterans. To say the tactic was a success would be an understatement.
He has received plenty of criticism for his chosen method of progression, but he has made a huge load of cash as well – and he’s on track to earn a whole lot more for his next clash.
Nate Diaz
Jake Paul is renowned for fighting against a wide range of opponents, and that is certainly the case in his upcoming clash against Mike Tyson. The latest Paul vs Tyson Odds makes the Ohio native an overwhelming 2/5 favorite for the contest, primarily because Iron Mike is now at the ripe old age of 57. Still, it isn’t the first time that Paul – the Problem Child – has faced off with an aging veteran.
His bout with Nate Diaz came with the Stockton star very much at the back end of his career, taking place in August of last year, however, it was another highly anticipated showdown. The one-time conqueror of Conor McGregor has another boxing matchup soon, with the latest boxing odds making him a 15/8 underdog to avenge his Octagon defeat to Jorge Masvidal. He recently could have ended the career of the most successful influencer-turned-boxer on the planet.
Unfortunately Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will not face-off on July 20 as planned. Tyson’s recent ulcer flare up has limited his ability to train fully for the next few weeks.
The fight will be rescheduled for a date later this year after Mike’s able to resume training with no… pic.twitter.com/fvXg4ccnYE
— Netflix (@netflix) May 31, 2024
That’s because he was coming off the back of a disappointing upset loss to professional boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson. Many thought his career in boxing was finished with the defeat, but he went on to fight Diaz anyway in the hopes of rejuvenating his ascent to the top. While he didn’t quite do that, he did walk away with the win.
From the opening bell, it was clear that this fight would be a battle of attrition. Diaz, always a durable fighter, took Paul’s punches in stride and kept pressing forward. His opponent, on the other hand, used his size and reach advantage to keep Diaz at bay, landing jabs and body shots to score points.
As the fight progressed, the Pride of Stockton began to find his rhythm, connecting with some clean shots that tested Paul’s chin. However, he responded with a series of powerful combinations that highlighted his improved technique and conditioning. By the final round, both fighters were visibly worn, but it was Paul’s consistent performance that caught the judges’ eyes, securing him a unanimous decision victory.
Anderson Silva
In perhaps his finest victory in the squared circle, Jake Paul faced off against stand-beat former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Despite the Spider being 46 at the time, he was just one year removed from a shocking upset victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. As such, many felt he had the tools required to land a dagger in the heart of Paul, who was on the cusp of some huge fights with the victory.
The fight was a grueling contest that showcased the Brazilian technical prowess and his American opponent’s burgeoning skills. Despite Silva’s superior striking techniques, Paul maintained composure and leveraged his youth and power to stay competitive. In the later rounds, Paul’s aggressive strategy paid off as he landed several heavy blows that visibly affected Silva, and they were enough to land him a razor-thin split-decision win.
