Let me say this upfront — I’ve never been a fan of influencer boxing, and Jake Paul has been the poster boy for everything that makes my eyes roll. From the staged beefs to the cherry-picked opponents, it always felt more like pantomime than pugilism.
I’ve already laid out my views in this piece on Jake Paul’s influence and explored whether Misfits Boxing is here to stay or just a passing fad. Long story short — I wasn’t sold.
But now, with Jake Paul set to face Julio César Chávez Jr, I find myself asking a question I never thought I’d type: has Jake Paul finally earned respect as a real boxer?
From Sideshow to Something Serious
Paul’s early “fights” — and I use that term loosely — were mostly novelty matchups. YouTubers, former NBA players, and faded MMA names made for good headlines, but they didn’t prove much beyond Paul’s knack for promotion.
Yet over time, things started to shift. He began training like a professional, hiring top coaches, and working year-round. He looked sharper, more disciplined — and eventually, even the doubters had to admit he was at least trying to take boxing seriously.
The Anderson Silva Win That Made People Take Notice
The real turning point was the fight against Anderson Silva. Yes, Silva was 47 at the time — but still an awkward, dangerous striker with real boxing chops.
Jake Paul didn’t just win. He boxed smart, stayed composed, and went the distance against a tricky opponent. For the first time, it felt like he was doing more than swinging wildly and hoping for a viral clip.
Fighter Pay, CTE and the Bigger Picture
Away from the ring, Paul’s been one of the few big names pushing for real change — especially when it comes to fighter pay. He’s used his platform to highlight how undercard boxers and small-hall fighters are often left with scraps, something I’ve explored in more depth here.
Even more surprising has been his willingness to speak out about serious issues like CTE — the brain trauma caused by repeated head injuries that far too many boxers face. That kind of advocacy is rare in boxing, especially from someone still active in the sport.
Like it or not, Jake Paul’s raised awareness of things most promoters ignore. That alone has started to shift how some people view him.
The Tyson Debacle: When It All Went Too Far
And then came Mike Tyson. A fight that never should’ve happened.
In November 2024, Jake Paul stepped into the ring with a 58-year-old Tyson. The result? A unanimous decision win for Paul after eight slow, painful rounds. But let’s be real — the whole thing was a complete mess.
It was slow. It was awkward. And for large stretches, it didn’t even look like a real fight. Plenty of fans still claim it was fixed. Personally, I don’t believe that — but I do understand why people think it. The whole event had the atmosphere of a performance, not a contest.
Both Paul and Tyson, in my view, made a mockery of the sport that night. The only thing more shocking than the fight itself was the viewership: 65 million people streamed it on Netflix, making it the most-watched sporting event on the platform at the time.
It was a train wreck — but it brought new fans to the sport. And in a twisted way, that seems to have worked in Jake’s favour.
Now He Faces Chávez Jr — His Biggest Test Yet
Next up is Julio César Chávez Jr, and unlike many of Jake’s previous opponents, this one actually means something. Chávez Jr may be unpredictable and past his best, but he’s a former world champion who’s fought Canelo Álvarez.
This isn’t a crossover stunt. It’s not a retired UFC guy. It’s a professional boxer with real experience — and if Jake Paul wins this, he might finally silence the last of the doubters.
Where I Stand
I still don’t like influencer boxing. I still think Jake Paul has avoided fighting someone truly in their prime. But I can’t ignore what he’s done. He’s put in the work. He’s taken real fights. And he’s shown — slowly but surely — that this might be more than just content creation in gloves.
If he beats Chávez Jr clean, it’s going to be very hard to argue that Jake Paul isn’t a real boxer anymore.
What’s Your Verdict? Is Jake Paul the Real Deal or Just a Master Marketer?
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