Belfort doesn't think Jake Paul is a real fighter, even though he respects what Paul has done. He said, "Is Jake Paul a fighter? I say, what?" Belfort thinks Paul's career has been carefully planned out. "He chooses his opponents, he has been curating his career," Belfort explained.
Paul's got a 12-1 record and has beaten some big names like Mike Tyson, Nate Diaz, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. But for Belfort, that's not enough to call him a true boxer. "People think this is real boxing, but it's not," he said.
Belfort did give Paul some credit, saying:
"He is training, he is exposing himself, he is doing business and being successful."
But Belfort sees a big difference between being a showman and being a fighter. He added:
"He created a character, a product. But that doesn't make him a legitimate fighter."
Belfort's not just worried about Paul. He thinks this trend of influencers in boxing is bad for young athletes. Kids might get discouraged if they see that having lots of social media followers matters more than talent and hard work.
"Sport is being manipulated by entertainment," Belfort warned. He's concerned that real fighters are being left behind because they don't have millions of followers.
Belfort wants fans and sports organizations to focus on what really matters in boxing. He said:
"It's not just about selling tickets or generating views. It's about respecting the art of combat."
He's calling for everyone to value real skill and dedication in the ring, not just social media fame. Belfort believes it's important to protect what makes boxing special and give opportunities to fighters who've earned their place the hard way.