How Jake Paul is killing a sport that is already dead

Throughout most of the 1900’s, Americans loved the sport of boxing. It was a way for all people to come together regardless of race, religion, gender, or wealth. Many great boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Jack Johnson, and Rocky Marciano were seen as gods amongst their fans and were recognized anywhere and everywhere.

Unfortunately, the viewership and fanbase for the sport has suffered a major decline over the last four decades. Many believe the decline is due to the extremely violent nature of boxing, an argument that ignores the popularity of other combat sports. Arguably, the real reason for boxing’s unfortunate downfall is greed, as major promotional companies care more about profit than the integrity and tradition of the sport. Moving nearly all professional matches to pay-per-view was the start, but it has since snowballed into something much bigger.

In the ultimate attempt to make money, non-boxers are getting in the ring simply because they can. While it makes sense to see former star athletes such as football player Adrian Peterson put the gloves on and step in the ring, the real problems are the internet personalities: specifically, that of Jake Paul.

With millions of online followers, Paul has become one of the most recognizable faces in media. Despite an acting career and loads of video content, Paul has turned to boxing as his next great venture. The only problem? He is almost single-handedly destroying the sport with this stint.

The damage began with amateur matches against other YouTubers in events that seemed to be more for fun than anything else; but, after only two years of training, Paul got in the ring across from Ben Askren, former top 10 welterweight in the UFC. Askren, who had trained for over a decade, was knocked out in the first round by the former Disney star. This sparked conversation about the authenticity and integrity of his matches, and these suspicions only grew after Paul defeated another former UFC champion, Tyron Woodley, on two separate occasions.

It seems rather unlikely that someone who recently began training is able to knock out two individuals who spent most of their life working on being the best fighters ever. On Oct. 29, he will face off against 47-year-old Anderson Silva, another former UFC champion who is often seen as one of the best of all time. 

Paul’s ridiculous publicity stunts not only give him the attention he clearly desires, but allows many younger viewers to believe they can be just as successful in boxing after a short preparation time, which will ultimately make the entire sport just a bunch of so-called “fighters” tweeting threatening messages about one another. While Jake Paul sells tickets and gathers some attention for the sport, he is destroying the sport that once ruled the nation with his ridiculous antics and alleged pre-planned fights.