One of boxing's best fighters took aim at Canelo Alvarez and other stars over the weekend for passing on a bout with Jake Paul.
Jake Paul, the 27-year-old YouTube sensation turned boxer, has become one of the industry's most notable names despite not being ranked by any associations, councils, or major websites. Paul's recent victory over Mike Tyson on Netflix drew up to 65 million subscribers and broke combat sports gate records for Texas.
Claressa Shields, an elite boxer herself, called out Canelo Alvarez and other boxing stars for not taking up the challenge to fight Paul. She said:
"Which one of you guys, who Jake Paul is calling out — and I am even going to say this for the king Canelo Alvarez — if Jake Paul is calling you out talking about he can beat you in a fight why won't you just whoop his a**?"
Shields pointed out that top boxers are missing out on significant paydays by avoiding Paul. The recent Paul vs Tyson fight at AT&T Stadium in Dallas was a financial success, with Paul reportedly earning $40 million and Tyson pocketing $20 million.
Some elite fighters have recognized the financial potential of fighting Paul. Artur Beterbiev, a current champion, has offered Paul a title fight, showing that the YouTube star's influence in boxing continues to grow.
Paul's ability to draw massive audiences and generate substantial revenue has put traditional boxers in a tough spot. They face criticism for not proving Paul isn't a "real" boxer, while also missing out on lucrative opportunities.
As Canelo Alvarez nears retirement, fans and industry insiders wonder if he'll change his stance on fighting Paul. The boxing world watches with interest to see who will be next to step into the ring with the controversial but undeniably popular Jake Paul.
