Jake Paul defeated Julio César Chávez Jr. in a boxing match that got people talking. The fight between the influencer-turned-boxer and the son of a Mexican boxing legend ended with Paul as the winner.
Legendary trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas didn't hold back when he shared his thoughts on the fight. On his podcast, "The Fight with Teddy Atlas," he criticized Chávez Jr.'s performance harshly.
"He didn't try to win. That's a deserter."
Atlas pointed out that there's a big difference between being tough and actually trying to win a fight. He explained that Chávez Jr. might be able to take a punch, but that's not enough.
"He's tough, he can take punishment, but that's not the same as going out there to win."
Atlas brought up a lesson from his mentor, Cus D'Amato. The legendary trainer always said that believing in yourself matters more than how strong or skilled you are.
"This starts with belief, not strength or technique. If you don't believe you can win, you've already lost."
Atlas compared Chávez Jr.'s performance to Mike Tyson's first fight against Evander Holyfield. In both cases, he saw fighters who were physically tough but mentally gave up.
The trainer also talked about the weight of expectations on Chávez Jr., who carries a name associated with Mexican boxing greatness. But Atlas argued that a famous name doesn't mean much if you don't have the drive to win.
"People think taking punishment is bravery. It's not, not if you never try to win. That way, no one says you quit... but deep down, you know you did."
After the fight, Jake Paul made sure everyone knew he'd won. He quieted the boos in the arena, posted bold messages on social media, and made fun of his opponent. Paul keeps proving that his influence goes beyond just boxing.
Some boxing professionals have started to defend Paul. They're saying he's taking the sport seriously and was clearly more committed to this fight than his opponent.
This match showed that in boxing, it's not just about physical strength. Believing in yourself and really wanting to win are just as important as being able to take a punch. It also proved that carrying a famous name in boxing doesn't guarantee success – you need to have the hunger to win, too.
