The boxing world has changed. Legendary fighters like Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao have stepped aside, making room for social media personalities to take center stage. Jake Paul, 28, with a record of 10-1 (7 KOs), fights as a cruiserweight and typically weighs around 200 pounds. He's challenging Floyd Mayweather, the 48-year-old undefeated boxing icon who's technically retired but still participates in exhibition matches.
Mayweather and Logan Paul, Jake's brother, had an exhibition bout in 2021. The eight-round fight surprised many when Logan landed punches and went the distance. Now, Jake wants his turn in the ring with Mayweather.
When Jimmy Fallon asked Mayweather about a potential fight with Jake Paul on The Tonight Show, Mayweather said it would be "Easy, too easy." Jake and Logan Paul responded by releasing a video. They claimed Floyd dodged the deal and demanded a 160-pound weight limit. Jake accused Mayweather of fearing a fight with the Paul brothers in their prime.
"Floyd's scared to fight us when we're actually in our prime," Jake said in the video. "He wants us to come down to a weight where we'd be totally drained."
Jake Paul's no stranger to controversial matchups. In November 2024, he fought Mike Tyson on Netflix. The event drew 60 million households but faced criticism due to the 30-year age gap between the fighters. Paul landed 77 punches to Tyson's 27, leading many to call it a mismatch.
The Paul brothers have turned their boxing careers into a reality show. "Paul American" premieres on MAX on March 27. The series will follow Jake and Logan's lives, including their boxing and WWE careers, business ventures, and family drama. It'll feature their parents, Pam and Greg Paul, Logan's fiancée Nina Agdal, and Jake's girlfriend Jutta Leerdam.
Jake Paul has built a reputation as a controversial figure in boxing. He's faced a mix of seasoned veterans and social media sensations, making his fights financially lucrative. He's called out other big names like Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta 'Tank' Davis, but they've mostly ignored or laughed off his challenges.
The shift from traditional boxing legends to social media personalities has changed the sport. The Paul brothers have become a financial goldmine, but some boxing purists worry about the impact on the sport's reputation.
As Jake Paul continues to push for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, fans wonder if the bout will happen. Will Mayweather step into the ring with the younger, heavier Paul? Or will this challenge, like others before it, go unanswered? Only time will tell.