Jake Paul has claimed that fans are turning away from watching influencer boxing in search of higher-quality action.
The 27-year-old is currently preparing for the biggest fight of his career as he takes on former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November.
Paul has compiled an impressive 10-1 professional record in just four years and has faced some of the biggest names in combat sports inside the ring.
However, his transition to boxing began back in 2018 when he faced KSI‘s younger brother Deji in an event that spawned the crossover boxing scene as we know it today.
On that night at the Manchester Arena, Jake’s brother, Logan Paul fought KSI to a majority draw in what has been referred to as the ‘biggest internet event in history’.
Jake Paul has claimed that fans are turning away from the influencer boxing scene
The 27-year-old insisted that the fighters involved in the crossover events ‘are not improving’
Paul is set to take on former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November
The card sold well over one million pay-per-views on YouTube, and set the stage for an influencer scene that continues to the present day.
As the younger Paul went on to forge his own path in the combat sports world, long-time rival KSI formed his own crossover promotion, Misfits which held its 17th event at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport, Paul insisted that fans who got their first taste of the sweet science through the influencer scene are now looking elsewhere for their fix.
‘Honestly, the other fighters aren’t improving, and I think people are tired of seeing the s***** punches and it just looks sloppy.’ He said.
‘Now that they’re fans of the sport, I think they want to see like, more real, higher level s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁. So it’s definitely dying out.’
A long rumoured clash with British YouTube star KSI has still yet to come to fruition after years of speculation.
The American also had a brutal response when asked about long-time rival Tomm Fury
The pair met inside the ring in 2023, with Fury getting the nod via split decision
Last month Fury and his partner of five-years Molly-Mae Hague ended their relationship
Another fighter that Paul has history with who has dipped their toes in the influencer scene is Tommy Fury.
After finding success on the reality TV series Love Island, the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson resumed his own burgeoning professional career.
His newfound notoriety coupled with his relative inexperience as a professional made Fury a prime candidate for the influencer scene and set him on a collision course with Paul.
The two men met over eight rounds in February of last year, with Paul scoring a knockdown in the eighth before Fury ultimately got the nod on points.
Asked for the first word that entered his head when thinking about his former opponent, Paul responded: ‘Single’.
Fury has recently gone through a very public breakup with his fiance and the mother of his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Molly-Mae Hague, with their five-year romance coming to an end last month amid unconfirmed reports that he cheated on her.
No stranger to talking trash, Paul also turned his attention to former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor.
The pair have gone back-and-forth on social media in the past, with Paul — who is awaiting his own MMA debut after signing with the PFL last year — calling for them to meet inside the ring.
The 27-year-old also took aim at former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor
After a multi-year layoff following a serious leg injury sustained in his fight with Dustin Poirier, McGregor had been set to return to the Octagon earlier this year before he was forced to pull out of a bout with lightweight contender Michael Chandler.
Asked whether he believed a fight between himself and the Irishman could ever happen, Paul claimed McGregor is avoiding a potential showdown.
‘I don’t think we will, just because he knows what will happen.’ Paul added.
‘Conor has a brittle body. He’s known for getting injuries all the time. It’s basically like every camp, he was getting injured even in his prime. So he just needs to drink some milk. ‘
