Jake Paul makes unexpected admission about boxing career earnings
The 'Problem Child' has made a fortune over the last few years in the sport of boxing - but has recently admitted it was not all plain sailing at the start
Jake Paul has surprisingly admitted he "didn't make much" money during his first year as a professional boxer.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer made his professional back in 2020 - two years after knocking out Deji Olatunji in an white-collar showdown. During the first few bouts, the 'Problem Child' made a habit of fighting fellow social media influencers and former MMA stars.
He gradually worked his way up and is now pocketing a fortune every time he steps foot inside the ring. With a professional record of 11-1, Paul's only career defeat came against rival Tommy Fury back in 2023.
It is fair to say Paul is no stranger to a staggering payday. Back in November, following his last win over Mike Tyson, the 'Problem Child' reportedly earned $40million (£29.7m) for the controversial showdown. While to many the aforementioned fee is a staggering amount, Paul claims he has been averaging $40m for the past few years in boxing.
"I've roughly been averaging around $40million a year for the past four years in boxing," Paul told the Iced Coffee Hour podcast. "The first year, year and a half of boxing, I didn't make much. I was definitely at a loss in my first year in boxing." It was not until he fully embraced his 'bad guy' persona that he earned jaw-dropping sums of money every fight.
"I think everything worked out perfectly," he added. "If I didn't have my YouTube persona and following, with everyone doubting I could become a boxer and everyone hating me, I don't think I would be making as much. In boxing, the villain makes more, and that is why I purposefully make people hate me and play that role and be the bad guy.
"You want to pay for the pay-per-view or tune into Netflix more to see the guy get knocked out that you hate. It is a lot of money, and I am definitely blessed and grateful, but it feels like every bit of it was earned. I worked my a*** off every day for 12 years straight, and then finally everything clicks overnight, and then eight, nine years into it I feel like I can make what I finally deserve. I feel like every penny I have made, I deserve more because of the amount of work I have put into it. I think my biggest paydays in the sport of boxing are still to come for sure."
The 28-year-old is once again expected to earn a fortune as he is scheduled to make his return to the ring next weekend against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. There are a few ho predict a tough night at the office for Paul. However, boxing legend Shawn Porter has confidently predicted that the social media sensation will emerge victorious next weekend.
Speaking on The Porter Way Podcast, he said. 'I got Jake Paul by KO.' Porter then explained how previously seeing Chavez Jr in the gym helped him come to that conclusion. 'He doesn't have a gas tank. That means you're not working and training out of the gym. I saw the in gym stuff and you scratch your head like 'that was it for the day?' He said. 'One day he came into the gym he shadow boxed, I don't know if he made it a round on the bag, then he packed up and left … I've seen some short stuff. I don't want to disrespect but it will make you scratch your head. The other fighters were laughing like 'that was it? Why did he show up?''
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