Jake Paul’s pursuit of genuine respect in the boxing world has just gotten a little more legit Sunday night. The YouTube star and social media influencer-turned-prizefighter outpointed Tyron Woodley via split decision (77-75, 75-77, 78-74) in the main event of a boxing card last night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Paul’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.
Paul (24) improved his record to 4-0 as a professional after his toughest battle yet as he went against Woodley (39) who is a former UFC welterweight champion, with 27 professional MMA fights over a 12-year career. However, this was Woodley’s pro boxing debut. After coming out confident and using his height and size to his advantage, Paul was holding on to the ropes after a big right cross, but the referee George Nichols decided against ruling it a knockout. Overall, in the end Paul out landed Woodley with 71 total punches landing for Paul versus Woodley’s 52. Though in power hits Woodley out landed Paul 41-35, completely out jabbed Woodley 36-11.
“I don’t know what to say but he’s a tough opponent,” Paul said after the fight. “He has been boxing, fighting, and striking for 20-something years. I have been doing this for three years.”
This is another victory for Paul, who has been a polarizing figure before he even came into the boxing sphere. Many do not like Paul and don’t respect his burgeoning boxing career as he is leveraging his massive social media following into what he hopes can become a legitimate boxing career despite his lack of experience compared to those who he hopes to fight. Despite this, Paul continues to garner major interest with each new fight as he has become the face of a more novel genre of fighting that includes internet stars.
NYC, NYCTastemakers, Sports, Boxing, JakePaul, TyronWoodley,
