Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, has become a major talking point in sports and entertainment. At just 27 years old, Paul’s actions—both inside and outside the boxing ring—have drawn attention from celebrities and fans alike. Recently, comedian Chris Rock took aim at Paul during a monologue on Saturday Night Live, mocking the boxer for fighting 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Rock’s remarks came after Paul defeated Tyson on November 15th in Texas in what many critics described as a lackluster professional boxing match. Despite the criticisms, the fight broke records, becoming the most-watched bout in boxing history in terms of concurrent viewers and setting a new benchmark for gate revenue in Texas.
In his monologue, Rock addressed several controversial topics, including Kamala Harris’s loss in the presidential race and the recent legal troubles of Sean John Combs (P. Diddy). However, Tyson’s defeat to Paul seemed to hit a particularly sore spot for the comedian. Rock joked, “What the hell? Who is this Jake Paul? A 27-year-old punching a 60-year-old man in the face?” He went on to say, “Is this what the white man has reduced him to? Stop it! Who’s he gonna fight next, Morgan Freeman? I hate Jake Paul.”
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Paul’s promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), responded swiftly to Rock’s comments. The company enlisted actor Will Smith to take a jab at Rock, referencing the infamous Oscars incident in 2022 when Smith slapped Rock on stage. MVP shared a clip of Rock’s monologue, captioning it, “Is Chris Rock mad Jake can take a slap better than him?” This remark also tied back to a pre-fight incident where Tyson slapped Paul after the younger fighter accidentally stepped on his toes during a press conference.
As for Paul, his next fight seems to be brewing with MMA veteran Nate Diaz. Despite their previous boxing match in August 2023, where Paul emerged victorious via unanimous decision, Diaz has shown little interest in facing Paul in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Diaz has dismissed the idea, criticizing both the timeline and the PFL organization itself. Paul, however, remains insistent on making the fight happen, highlighting the financial benefits it could bring for Diaz.
Paul’s rapid rise in popularity and his knack for creating drama with mainstream celebrities have solidified his status as a polarizing figure. While some argue that his boxing career is more about spectacle than legitimate competition, others believe he has proven himself as a serious contender. The ongoing feud with Rock and his pursuit of a fight with Diaz illustrate Paul’s ability to keep himself in the spotlight.
The question remains: Is Jake Paul a legitimate fighter or simply a master of creating controversy and maintaining his celebrity status?