Last night, Deadline first broke the news that YouTube star turned prize fighter Jake Paul was no longer an exclusive talent for Triller Fight Club. And that the sometimes actor, and even rapper, was taking his talents to one of the premiere boxing brands in the industry, Showtime.
It is a massive move upward for the 3-0 boxer’s legitimacy. For all of Triller’s success its content circus–which consisted of celebrities turned into boxers, well-aged boxing greats, mixed martial artists becoming pugilists, and musical performances–it catered to an audience that may not be serious sports fans. However, with the branding of Showtime behind him, for better or worse, he can now be lumped in with actual superstar boxing talents that have competed on the network in the past. Men like Mike Tyson, current heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, and Floyd Mayweather. The latter of which will box Jake’s brother Logan in just a few weeks.
Legitimizing a freak show unicorn
It will take a great deal of narrative massaging to make Paul look like more than the guy who built a fighting resume off beating up YouTuber AnEsonGib, retired former NBA guard Nate Robinson, and two-time mixed martial arts world champion turned terrible boxer Ben Askren. However, if any brand in the sport is strong enough to do so, it’s Showtime. They shocking outlasted HBO in the boxing broadcast game and have built and cut deals with some of the best boxing has had to offer over the last 30-plus years.
Paul’s advisor Nakisa Bidarian told ESPN, “Jake is proud of the events he participated in with Triller and appreciates the opportunities they afforded him. Jake is excited to continue his boxing career with Showtime Boxing. Fight announcement coming soon. Now, Showtime is not going to turn Paul into the next Teofimo Lopez, and they would be the first to admit it.
The benefit of this deal for them is they add to their roster an absolute lightning rod for combat sports polarization. Hate him or love him, Paul’s brand is a juggernaut at the moment. April’s Triller Fight Club event headlined by Paul knocking out Askren in the first round, reportedly earned 1.5 million buys on pay-per-view. How ever you slice it, that’s a worthwhile add for any entertainment business.
Having a fighting unicorn who’s reputation is built around hype than actual world-class skills and a resume will require creative booking from Showtime. You can’t throw the 24-year-old into a fight with actual boxers who have been training for years. Even if they have a record similar to his. Adding Paul to the roster is about pulling in a new and younger fans to the networks content.
To do that they must continue the freakshow element of Paul’s career. That doesn’t mean at this circus he can’t take on bigger risks and put his head in a few lion’s mouth for the entertainment of the masses. He certainly can, and should if the network wants to get their money’s worth. Here’s “4 Jake Paul fights we want to see on Showtime Boxing.”
4 Jake Paul fights we want to see: Tyron Woodley
Following Paul’s destructive win over Askren last month, former UFC and Strikeforce welterweight champion Tyron Woodley made it known he would be all in for a fight with the YouTube star. As long as it was in a MMA cage. However, with his run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship coming to an end, after the organization chose not to extend him a new contract offer, his best money making options have become a bit more limited.
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It could be said that at 39-years-old, and on a four-fight losing streak, a boxing bout with Paul would be “The Chosen One’s” best chance at a major payday outside the UFC. In addition, having trained and been friends with Askren for years, their connection offers a easy to sell storyline. That of “T-Wood” looking to not only avenge MMA by pummeling Paul in fight, but he can also seek revenge for a friend’s embarrassing defeat.
Anderson Silva
For long time fans of MMA, the thought of Anderson Silva–maybe the greatest striker in the sports history–facing someone of the ilk of Paul seems laughable. That would be true if this was 2012. However, we are in 2021, “The Spider” just recently turned 46, and seems to now have eyes just for boxing. Next month, the former UFC middleweight king will be taking his aged striking skills to a boxing ring to face Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. A former WBC middleweight champion and the son of the legendary Mexican boxer of the same name.
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How that bout turns out on June 19 will decide if a Paul/Silva booking makes sense. Furthermore, the bout would only make sense if the MMA legend lost to the Chavez, Jr. If the Brazilian can somehow beat a 35-year-old former champion who once went the distance with boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, then Paul has no business in the ring with him.
However, a seriously aged MMA all-timer would offer a competitive but less threatening opponent for Showtime Boxing’s newest acquisition. Not to mention, it is a fight that can pull from multiple niche audiences like previous Paul bouts. And, there is no one better for MMA fans to rally around to thwart another Paul conquest of one of their own.
Floyd Mayweather
This one is an absolute no brainer. The former five division world champion has shown completely willing to partake in a good freakshow fight for money’s sake. He did it four years ago with two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor and will return to the circus on June 6 with Jake’s big brother Logan. Plus, the ground work for Jake and Floyd has already been put in place after the two nearly came to blows after Paul “stole” the boxers hat during a confrontation at the media day for his brother’s bout.
We all know that even at 44-years-old “Money” is going to completely clown the elder Paul in a few weeks. However, a Jake Paul and Mayweather clash is more about when, not if. If this upcoming Mayweather and Paul event does well, the family getting a second crack at “Pretty Boy Floyd” will be fast tracked within the next year. If it doesn’t, the built in marketing narrative will always be there to revisit down the line.
Raymond Daniels
This one is a far less likely possibility, but it checks off certain boxes that makes it a worthwhile thought. Raymond Daniels is a well established kickboxing great who has been continuing his combat sports exploits in Bellator’s MMA cage. Bellator is a content provider under the Showtime Sports umbrella. Meaning Daniels versus Paul could be a fun piece of cross-sport promotion between two Showtime backed brands.
In an MMA or kickboxing fight, Daniels would blast right through any and all efforts Paul put forth. However, under strict boxing rules it could be a bit more competitive. Especially, since the 41-year-old is more know for the sleep aids that his kicks can be than his fists. It’s also a chance for the 26-year-old loudmouth to not only besmirch one sport, but two, if he were somehow able to shock the world and defeat the multi-time kickboxing and martial arts champion.
