Jake Paul is not any ordinary fighter. Undeniably, he is a name that has changed the face of boxing in contemporary times. As a trailblazer of this era, he shot to fame as a fighter who put the term ‘influencer-boxing’ on the map. When looked closer, the watershed legacy he hopes to create in his still-nascent combat career reminds most of Muhammad Ali. At the heart of this parallel lies a point of commonality.

Both Muhammad Ali and Jake Paul share birthdays. Today, if Ali were alive, he would be 82.’Problem Child’ on the other hand celebrates his 27th birthday today. Further from this commonality lies the potential of another. This year, Jake Paul is expected to undertake a massive change in his combat trajectory. The potential shift could take the things that ‘the Greatest’ and Paul have in common beyond just their birthdays.

Is Jake Paul walking the Muhammad Ali path?

In 1976, almost half a century from today, Muhammad Ali redefined the scape of combat even before ‘crossover boxing’ was a thing. He traveled to Japan to undertake a controversial fight, a little away from the traditional scope of boxing. Now, Paul hopes to do the same. In fact, he is venturing into a totally new format of combat. In Early 2023, he announced a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) hinting at a transition to MMA. In a later X post, he called on his former boxing opponent Nate Diaz for a 2024 MMA fight. He wrote, “I can’t wait to get in the cage and axe kick this fool. Nate Diaz stop making excuses. 2024.”

Earlier, in a revelation with Ariel Helwani, PFL Chairman, Donn Davis confirmed the tentative plans for Paul’s MMA debut. He remarked, “Jake was always Q4 (0f 2024).” He added, “I think that is October-December 2024.” The lucrative deal for deal promises a multi-year, multi-fight reign in the PFL, which confirms his appearance in the PFL arena in 2024.

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If everything goes according to Paul’s plans and wishes, he will enter the PFL octagon this year, thereby expanding his influence not only in boxing but also in the MMA realm. This would bring him closer to sharing more commonalities with the legendary heavyweight Muhammad Ali, who engaged in a hybrid fight years before it became fashionable for boxers to enter combat arenas outside of the squared circle.

The Greatest’s Drift From Boxing

Muhammad Ali’s fight with Antonio Inoki took place on June 26, 1976, in Tokyo, Japan. This unique bout pitted the boxing legend Ali against the professional wrestler Inoki in what was billed as “The War of the Worlds.” The rules were a blend of boxing and professional wrestling, but the exact regulations were not well-defined, leading to some confusion.

The fight attracted significant attention globally due to the clash of two different combat sports disciplines. However, the match didn’t unfold as expected, as Inoki spent much of the bout on the canvas, kicking at Ali’s legs. Ali, in turn, was cautious about engaging with Inoki, resulting in a less action-packed fight than anticipated.

The contest ended in a controversial draw, leaving spectators and critics disappointed. Ali suffered leg injuries due to Inoki’s repeated kicks, and the bout raised questions about the feasibility and entertainment value of cross-discipline matches. Despite the underwhelming outcome, the fight remains a historical curiosity in the career of Muhammad Ali and the broader context of mixed-style competitions.

Drawing Parallels With Muhammad Ali, Jake Paul Pens Down a Highly Important Date Common to Both Him and the Boxing Great

Today, Jake Paul stands at a similar juncture, with his PFL deal and the possibility of an MMA debut this year. He holds the chance to jot down another common feat he has with the ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali, other than sharing a birthdate. Do you think Paul will be a hit even in the MMA realm? Let us know in the comments section below.

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