Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Boxing

Jake Paul named Sports Illustrated’s ‘Breakout Boxer of the Year’ despite just FIVE pro fights

, Jake Paul named Sports Illustrated’s ‘Breakout Boxer of the Year’ despite just FIVE pro fights

YOUTUBER turned boxer Jake Paul has been named as Sports Illustrated’s Breakout Boxer of the Year.

Paul fought three times in 2021, winning all of the bouts.

Paul has been named Breakout Boxer of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine
Paul scored wins in all three of his boxing fights in 2021

But in total the 24-year-old has fought just five times in his career since making his pro debut in January 2020.

Paul told American magazine Sports Illustrated: “To think about how all the things that happened in the fashion that it all happened, it’s just sort of mind-blowing.”

The company chose him for the award on the back of his performances in the ring, and being ‘one of boxing’s biggest attractions’ outside it.

His first fight of 2021 came in April, with Paul savagely knocking out former MMA star Ben Askren in less than two minutes.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

A bout against former UFC-champ Tyron Woodley followed in August.

That one was a much closer contest – Paul coming out on top via split decision.


JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)


But there was only one winner when the pair faced off again in December.

A brutal right-hand from Paul dropped Woodley to the canvas in the sixth round as the social media star secured a fourth KO victory in five professional fights.

And for those performances he scored the Breakout Boxer of the Year award from Sports Illustrated.

His huge marketability is also a factor in landing the title, as Sports Illustrated claim they have crowned him ‘not for his potential, but for what he already is.’

Paul boasts over 20million subscribers on YouTube, 18million followers on Instagram, and nearly 16million on TikTok.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Boxing purists though fumed at the decision, as one begged on Twitter: “Stop this madness.”

And another raged: “But he’s not boxing. He’s taking on career MMA fighters known for fighting on the ground and making them box. It’s a load of garbage. Fight a damn BOXER.”

The latest announcement follows the news that Paul was also the winner of ESPN’s KO of the year.

That award was for the brutal beatdown of Woodley in December – and was voted for by fans.

He was originally due to lock horns with Tommy Fury, not Woodley, before the Love Islander withdrew from their grudge match due to illness and injury.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Arsenal Fans Rally Behind Jailed Journalist Evan Gershkovich, an Arsenal fan and journalist, remains confined in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison on spying charges laid by...

Premier League

West Ham Owner's Criticism David Sullivan, the co-owner of West Ham, has criticized Championship clubs for their high player and manager salaries, questioning why...

Premier League

Heartbreak at Euro 2024 Play-Off Exit Former Arsenal player and Wales captain, Aaron Ramsey, is contemplating his future with the national team following their...

Premier League

Bayern Munich Seeking New Manager Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is reportedly being considered for the Bayern Munich job as the German giants...

Premier League

Premier League Apologizes for Late Change Tottenham's upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest has been rescheduled with just ten days' notice, causing inconvenience for fans....

Premier League

Arsenal's Search for a New Striker Arsenal continues to hunt for a new striker as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his front line. Victor...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement