Jake Paul is taking a cue from the Conor McGregor school of trolling.
The YouTube savant-turned-boxing headliner announced via social media that he is retiring from the sport of boxing.
No really. Paul says he’s hanging up the gloves after defeating Tyron Woodley via split decision at his hometown arena of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio on August 29th.
Updated status:
Retired boxer
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 30, 2021
Could UFC President Dana White’s prediction be accurate that Paul would fizzle out of our collective consciousness more sooner than later?
To early to tell, but Paul is known to use social media very effectively to stay in the conversation. However, many boxing diehards would rejoice if Paul does leave the sport.
Back in April 2016, Conor McGregor pulled this same schtick.
“I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese, Catch ya’s later,” McGregor tweeted. That, of course, turned out to be not true, and he had an epic rematch with Nate Diaz four months later, which McGregor won.
Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting.
Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!
Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins!
Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you!
Whatever you desire it’s yours ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dh4ijsZacZ— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 7, 2020
McGregor also “retired from fighting” in June 2020 via tweet. However, he was back in the cage seven months later, albeit a knockout loss by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.
Still, McGregor laid a primer on how to keep the fans guessing in combat sports. Retirement tweets with minimal deets are at the heart of the recipe. The fans were here for it then, and Jake Paul knows they are here for it now.
the experts have spoken👀 pic.twitter.com/zUpLN737VI
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) September 1, 2021
ImPaulsive
The 24-year-old Paul (4-0, 3 KOs) began his professional boxing journey in January 2020. During his short tenure, he has proven to be an influential participant in the sport’s landscape. Paul is equipped with an outsized personality and quickly developing a boxing skillset.
The Cleveland-native has been fighting out of Puerto Rico under the eye of former pro boxing contender B.J. Flores. The two have been working together since his first professional fight.
nothing matters.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) September 5, 2021
After knocking out YouTube star AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson in his first two outings, Paul did quick work of former MMA champion Ben Askren in April with a first-round knockout. Paul notched his first victory over a seasoned professional fighter with Askren and took on an even more significant challenge in Woodley.
The judges for the August 29th match scored the fight 78-74 and 77-75 for Paul and 77-75 for Woodley.
Woodley has been campaigning for a rematch, but Paul has made it contingent on Woodley getting his name tattooed on him. To date, Woodley has not accepted that challenge.
Leaving Money On The Table?
With many challengers lining up like UFC’s Jorge Masvidal and more, Paul likely isn’t going t just walk away from the potential paydays.
However, like any good entertainer, he knows how to save the big reveal and make the public believe that it is as good as it gets. Subsequently, sans pedigree, Paul has already made significant waves for combat sports.
sold out a major arena with no performer in my 4th fight✅
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) September 2, 2021
The novice has singlehandedly called out UFC President Dana White about fighter pay. Concurrently, he portioned a piece of his purse to give fighters the best payout of their career on the card.
In addition, he and Tyron Woodley both made an equal $2 million for the bout. Love or hate him; Paul is bringing in a new crowd to pugilism, and fighters are getting more fame and paper for it.
As Don King famously said, “God Bless America” and also now Jake Paul.
