Look, I’m not ready to say I like Jake Paul as a person. His antics, his persona, his character have faced much scrutiny throughout his “career?” He and his brother Logan have been known by the YouTube community for a few years, and you’ve probably heard of at least one of them by now. Say whatever you want, the boys can bank money. They topped the money-making charts of YouTube, with Logan edging the younger brother by a few million, before each deciding to enter the ring.
If you watched any of the lead-up into the fight with Ben Askren, you must have had a wide range of emotions. If you watched the Nate Robinson fight with Jake Paul, you probably have had a wide range of emotions about Jake Paul. Look, I’m not trying to argue he has childish tendencies, but as an athlete, I can’t say I’m not impressed.
Timing
The first thing you can see when watching film on Jake is that his timing has some true natural ability. He is an athlete. When he began working on boxing and training, I’m not sure if he had an athletic background but anyone who has knows it’s not only god given physical ability but a thirst for the work. A thirst for the fear. A thirst for the glory that can only be achieved by outlasting your competitor. I understand his fights have been against “not real boxers” but what boxer doesn’t begin their professional career versus a few “Spider Rico’s”?
Though Askren showed some early signs of being able to survive, the power and speed that Paul demonstrated in the short bout was legit. Can it survive 12 rounds with a technical boxer? Who knows at this juncture..but does anyone really want to watch a 12 round technical fight? Or do you want to see guys go in and go til they drop like the old bareknuckle fights of yesteryear? I for one was hoping to see Askren go full dad strength mode like a drunk guy getting up off a lawn chair at a summer BBQ to punch the teen hitting on his wife. We didn’t get that.
Desire
No matter if you like him or hate him, much like some of the top competitors of any sport, you can’t knock his desire to be great. He talks a lot about himself, but he also finds himself fully surrounded by a supporting posse of yellow clad “fam” who you can assume he works out with. He has a team. He has a mindset. He has the money to train with the best. The kid wants to be great. He has a psychopathic desire to prove people wrong.
It comes out in a boyish, human way each time he overcomes a challenge, where Paul seems to take his guard down a bit and loses control of his faux persona, relishing in athletic joy of accomplishment. That is the true authenticity at work. All the hype and BS is real, but the attention to craft and warrior mindset is present.
It really is an odd example of the bad kid turned athlete. But it goes to show us not only what an athlete can do for spectators, but what athletics can do for a soul.
Courage
I don’t care who you are, it takes balls to get in that ring in front of millions of people. Just like any sport, true competitors turn it up to a new level when the lights go on. There is an unspoken, unsaid level that you reach when competing that I consider to be purely subconscious. It takes courage to go out there. No matter what you are doing. Combat sports have a certain higher level of bravery you must have to not only show up, but not die.
When you train, you program your mind for overcoming during the match, fight, or game. You program yourself to overcome adversity, beat your opponent, out class him/her. You not only sharpen skills, but you sharpen the iron that holds yourself up, the structure that you are built with internally when tryin times present themselves.
I did notice one time early in the fight Paul showed a bit of fear as he scooted back to get out of range. There were a few BOMBS unleashed in fear that I thought would tucker him out and make him lose discipline. He was able to overcome and stay in and regain composure and land.
Inspiring to Say the Least
Look once again, hate whoever you want, but your enemies can inspire you. Whether seeing a YouTuber get paid to knock out a guy with a beer gut makes you angry, or hearing he made 500k just to show up makes you mad, you can’t hate him for trying. He has shown us again, that though we may envy his lavish lifestyle, there is something to be admired about Jake Paul. It remains to be seen how his story will develop and eventually end, but it seems to me like Jake Paul the youtuber’s time has ended, and Jake Paul the athlete has truly begun.
How many young man and women around the world will be inspired by Pauls speech following only his 3rd professional boxing match?
“Just a couple of years ago, my teachers were making fun of me in class, telling me I can’t do nothing, telling me I wasn’t smart, my schoolmates making fun of me,’’ he said. “I used to landscape. I just had a dream. I chased it and I worked hard and to think that I’m here standing next to these legends, legends right here, it’s unbelievable.
The ringside view of Jake Paul’s TKO. @ESPNRingside pic.twitter.com/YgasSH1Br4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2021
This blog is dedicated to those who inspire and engage those around them to be great. The ones who take advantage of opportunity to overcome challenges, to achieve their dreams, and who aren’t afraid of the dark.
I began this blog in the pandemic, to entertain and inspire when we had nothing else. It has created a new version of myself who has re-lit a flame that I have felt before, and will never let go out again. If you’d like to contribute a story, article, podcast, or any content, please let me know I’d love to utilize our team’s tools to help tell that story so someone out there may turn their life around for the better!
Ben Askren was woozy after the 1-2 combo that put him on his behind… but was quick to return to his dad lawn chair and re-assume his humility and leadership. He had this to say in his first question from press after the fight when asked about the stoppage.
“Well I thought I was fine but…it’s his job and if that’s what he felt that way then, that’s what he did.”
And when followed up – Is that bad for your combat sports career?
“Uh no..I’m gonna take about $1 Million home to the bank and go coach some wrestling.”
Pretty cool to see Askren immediately talk about helping out the next class. Each fighter over the course of their life, in some way or the other, will be sure to inspire a few kids to get THEIR asses in the gym.
Maybe to stand up for dignity.
Maybe to stick up for yourself.
Maybe to prove yourself.
Maybe to prove someone wrong.
Maybe to inspire others.
Maybe to inspire yourself.
Maybe just because your a crazy son of a bitch.
Maybe because it helps you cope.
Maybe because you’re good at it.
Maybe because it makes you money.
Whatever the reason people compete.. it works. It works for everyone involved.
As for Jake Paul, we will have to stay tuned. No matter what though, I won’t be satisfied until he fights his brother Logan! Who will be boxing Floyd Mayweather soon. Say what you want about the Paul boys, but they know how to entertain, inspire, and apparently… COMPETE. Jake already has stated that his brother Logan “Isn’t a real fighter.” So stay tuned..
As far as the “Real Boxers” out there go.. of which I am not.. Just take Deontay Wilder’s quotes on the new world of celebrity boxing and “Beef” matchups taking on a new stage… He had this to say before the fight. This varies greatly from the viewpoint of many MMA fighters were quick to call on the legitimacy of the vicory post fight. The debate has begun, but it’s clear… Fighting is the new american pastime, and Jake Paul’s Timing couldn’t be better.
Here’s what Deontay Wilder, who arguably brought Heavyweight Boxing Back.. had to say pre fight.
“And if anyone that has an interest and has a creative idea or way to come in and shine light on it, then I’m all for it.
“Especially if it’s making money for them, it makes sense.
“If people wanna watch it, enjoy boxing, you probably have gained boxing fans because of these different guys.
“I wish a lot of celebrities, when they are beefing, you get in that ring and air out that negativity or whatever you have against that person, you just battle it out, it makes you like, ‘I’ve released.’
“And if anyone that has an interest and has a creative idea or way to come in and shine light on it, then I’m all for it.
“Especially if it’s making money for them, it makes sense.
“If people wanna watch it, enjoy boxing, you probably have gained boxing fans because of these different guys.
“I wish a lot of celebrities, when they are beefing, you get in that ring and air out that negativity or whatever you have against that person, you just battle it out, it makes you like, ‘I’ve released.’
Did Deontay Wilder Inspire Jake Pauls Robot? lol never forget when Deontay wore that suit which exhausted him and caused him to lose to Tyson Fury’s weighted Gypsy gloves?
