Jake Paul has placed himself on the right side of boxing history and has become a beacon of reason as the sport modernises… as Bob Arum is to thank for the YouTuber’s recent rise
- Jake Paul has become a beacon of light in the world of YouTube boxing recently
- The streaming star has risen to boxing fame alongside his brother Logan
- Paul is still undefeated and Bob Arum is to thank for his rise in the industry
There really is no sport like boxing for unlikely heroes. The roots of the fight game are entwined with rags, riches and randoms reaching immortality. And yet, even for boxing’s fetish for the remarkable, these are extraordinary times.
Not because Saturday’s clash between Liam Williams and Chris Eubank Jnr rings the opening bell on a pulsating start to 2022. Not even because we might soon see two semi-finals in the fight for heavyweight supremacy.
No, this is a redemption tale to rival any of recent years: the antichrist has become a beacon of reason as furniture rots in dark corners. Not familiar with Jake Paul? Fear not, you’re not missing much – in the ring anyway.
Jake Paul has become a beacon of reason in the world of YouTube boxing in recent years
Paul and his brother Logan (second left) have gone from streaming stars to boxing icons
To the (blissfully) ignorant, Paul and his brother Logan made their name on YouTube. They are now making (big) money through boxing – novices who by dint of their online appeal have skipped the queue, laughing all the way to the bank. Throwing a few punches en route, too.
Until now, they have been seen as scourges, whose success marks another nail in the coffin of boxing as a serious sport.
Recently, though, Jake Paul has placed himself firmly on the right side of history. Out of nowhere, the 25-year-old has become a spokesman for boxing’s more enlightened circles.
For this turnaround he can thank Bob Arum, the 90-year-old promoter who for the past half-century has steered this sport.
Paul (right) is still undefeated in the ring as he shines a new light on this age-old sport
On April 30, Arum is due to stage Shakur Stevenson vs Oscar Valdez. That same night, at Madison Square Garden, Katie Taylor meets Amanda Serrano for the undisputed lightweight crown.
‘People don’t particularly pay attention to the women’s fights,’ Arum told iFL TV. ‘I don’t want to be accused of being anti-women in sports but I’m telling you this is like the Premier League against women’s football.’ Dear me. Cue this riposte from the Youtuber, who now promotes seven-weight champion Serrano (don’t ask).
‘Men like this dinosaur are the reason women haven’t been given a fair shake in many parts of society,’ Paul tweeted to huge support. ‘His time in boxing is coming to an end.’
Who ever thought Paul might outlast one of the sport’s great survivors?