Home

Boxing

“What Were These Things That I Didn’t Even Like That I Did?”: After a Decade-Long YouTube Career Jake Paul Contemplates His Overture to Boxing

Published 08/01/2023, 9:49 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

In the realm of sports and entertainment, few figures have generated as much controversy and attention as Jake Paul. From his YouTube stardom to his foray into professional boxing, Paul’s journey has been marked by highs and lows. However, it is in the boxing ring that he found his redemption arc, transforming his life for the better.

The YouTuber’s boxing career has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with pivotal moments that defined his path. In a split-decision loss to Tommy Fury, he faced a humbling defeat that led him to reevaluate his approach to the sport. However, standing at 6-1 with 4 KOs, the 26-year-old fighter is ready to take on his next challenge – a 10-round cruiserweight bout against Nate Diaz. In addition, Paul gave fans a glimpse into how boxing almost ended his YouTube career.

Jake Paul reveals how boxing made him introspect his life

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In a recent interview leading up to the fight, ‘The Problem Child’ revealed that it was through his involvement in boxing that he found the strength to step back from his YouTube career. Moreover, putting the camera down led him to reflect on the content he had been producing for the past two years. This introspection led to a profound questioning of his own image, character, and actions.

“If it wasn’t for boxing, I wouldn’t have stopped and put the camera down. When I put the camera down, that’s when I realized, “What did I just film for the last two years? What is my image, What is my character? What were these things that I didn’t even like that I did? I regret that. I shouldn’t have done this. This is bad. What the [expletive] did I just do? I created this monster.”

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Boxing stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

 

Despite enjoying an illustrious career as YouTuber, Paul was forced to introspect on the type of content he was creating. While he was successful in his vlogging endeavors, it was often due to his controversial content. However, boxing helped him read more deeply into his career which has since taken off quite a bit. This was not all as with boxing at the core of his transformation, he also found additional tools that played pivotal roles in his personal growth.

Boxing, meditation, and discipline: Jake Paul’s catalysts for change

Later in the interview, Paul detailed how, meditation, routine, discipline, and healthy habits became cornerstones of his life. For him, the boxing ring became more than a physical arena; it became a space for self-discovery and self-improvement.

Through training and the pursuit of excellence, ‘The Problem Child’ found an outlet to channel his energy and emotions. The sport instilled in him the importance of focus and dedication, helping him to overcome the distractions that once surrounded him. Moreover, sobriety became a choice, a conscious decision to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“Over the years to come, I had to defeat that monster and awaken to my own self. Boxing, meditation that routine, discipline, eating healthy, and stopping to drink and smoke – just being sober for the first time in a while – all because of boxing and these things. It gave me that space to really figure out who I was.” he said.

via Getty

Paul’s journey from a YouTuber to a professional boxer has been nothing short of extraordinary. This has even prompted Netflix to make a documentary on the social media star. Now, as he steps into the ring once again, it is evident that he has undergone a remarkable evolution. The sport of boxing has indeed provided him with the space to find his true self, knocking out demons along the way and embracing a life defined by discipline, growth, and a hunger for success.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What did you think about Paul reflecting on how boxing changed his life for the better? Let us know in the comments.

Watch This Story:  Jake Paul Net Worth: Five Biggest Fight Purse of His Boxing Career

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Sahil Sood

1,864Articles

One take at a time

Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering live events and core sports. Sahil holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has authored over 1300 articles at EssentiallySports. His coverage of Sylvester Stallone's training with Earnie Shavers was widely praised for its depth and insight.
Show More>

Edited by:

Arijit Saha