Whether You Like It Or Not, The Paul Brothers Are Making Boxing Relevant Again
(EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP via Getty Images via Bleacherreport)
Before I get into this article, I have a bit of a disclaimer: In no way, shape, fashion or form am I a fan of either Jake or Logan Paul, but I have a metric shit ton of respect for the overly-energetic YouTuber’s business adventures.
Logan and Jake Paul’s recent boxing matches have been a focal point of the sports world over the last few months, which begs the question as to whether or not they are “reviving” the sport of boxing.
When this all started with Logan Paul vs KSI a few years back, I assumed this celebrity boxing thing would be a fad, maybe a one time thing to bring in a few million dollars and that’s that. Boy was I wrong. I’m sure Logan realized the opportunities he had in front of him: millions of people wanted to see him get his ass beat while on the other hand his millions of loyal 9-year-old YouTube subscribers would love to see him reign supreme.
If there is one thing the sport of boxing needs right now, it’s eyes on the sport and preferably eyes from the younger generation. It’s safe to say the UFC has rapidly overtaken the WBO for the most relevant fighting organization in the United States. Who would have thought a couple of spunky, cringey social media stars would be the saving grace to a historically iconic sport.
What’s next? Are Soundcloud rappers going to swoop in and save baseball from extinction?
No matter how you look at it, these kids bring in views, and a lot of them. Back in March, Mayweather was quoted to say he will make roughly $100 million from the fight when it’s all said and done (jesus christ) while Paul would take home a max purse of roughly $20 million, according to the New York Times. Every single fight Logan Paul and Jake Paul have participated in have broken some sort of pay per view record for their respective networks (i.e. Triller and Showtime).
Sure neither one of these guys are going about it the traditional way, as many fighters spend years climbing the ranks before ever earning a slot in a headliner fight card, but they have marketed the shit out of themselves and know exactly what to do to pull in the most money possible.
From that perspective, I can see why people are aggravated with the Paul brothers, but at the same time neither one of them seem to be interested in becoming legitimate full-time boxers at the expense of their social media spotlight.
Jake Paul seems to be more serious about the whole thing compared to his brother, but then again that could all be an act. Logan has slightly matured since his mishap in Japan, but Jake continues to thrive as the villian of combat sports.
The Problem Child’s most recent boxing match against Ben Askren sold over 1.3 million Pay-per-views, resulting in more than $65 million of net profit, and that’s not to mention the millions of people watching via illegal streams.
The data vs Logan Paul vs Floyd Mayweather are yet to be released, but you can bet your ass they had more PPV sales than anything the Paul brothers have participated in before.
As annoying as it may be to some OG fight fans, the Paul brothers have 100% without a doubt made the sport relevant again. The only time I can think of a boxing match with that much global hype around it in my lifetime would be Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor, or maybe Mayweather vs Pacquiao.
On top of playing the villain role down to the T, the Paul brothers have also done an incredible job of selecting their opponents. Was Logan Paul (0-1) anywhere near qualified to even step in the ring with the GOAT Money Mayweather? Absolutely not. Were people going to shovel their money for the chance to see them fight live? 100% yes.
After Jake Paul’s first round win over Ben Askren, he made the correct business move by choosing to fight Tyron Woodley, a former Welterweight champion and recently retired UFC fighter.
Again, this could all just be a gimmick for a big pay day, but now if Jake Paul wins this fight no one can say he only won because his opponent was a 36-year-old wrestling coach coming off a hip-replacement surgery. He’s fighting a proven champion with knockout power.
The people wanted to see Jake Paul fight an actual fighter, and he gave them exactly that. Now the people wanted to see him fight a striker, and he is giving them exactly that. For as much hate the Paul brothers receive in the fighting community, they give the people what they want.
Whether you like it or not, Logan and Jake Paul have single handedly made the sport of boxing relevant again.