CM PUNK has weighed in on the debate swirling around the Paul brothers and their place in boxing history.
YouTuber siblings Jake and Logan have been forging controversial careers in the ring since ditching social media for the fight game.
Influential pundit Stephen A. Smith labelled youngest brother Jake a ‘joke’ on Christmas Eve after he called out pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez.
But WWE legend and ex-UFC star Punk said he was impressed by the brothers’ showmanship as they pulled in the viewers.
He told Cageside Seats: “If you’re making money, you’re technically not really doing anything wrong.
“I think everything’s entertainment. I think some people conflate being a fighter with being an entertainer, but when it makes dollars, it makes sense.
“And what the Paul brothers are doing, I think for the lack of a better term, it’s old school pro wrestling, right?
“You could say they’re crossing over, but there’s so many similarities between the two businesses. They command attention.
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“People want to see them get knocked out. They know this, but they’re putting themselves out there. They’re putting themselves on the line.”
Jake recently scored a knock-out win over former UFC champ Tyron Woodley after Britain’s Tommy Fury withdrew from their scheduled bout.
Older brother Logan has faced the great Floyd Mayweather inside the ropes.
And Punk admitted he was impressed by the hard work put in by the Pauls – even if they’re not to everyone’s liking.
He added: “I’ll never criticize in a negative way or fashion anybody who makes the walk, anybody who trains their ass off. Because I did it and I know what it takes.
“And you put yourself out there, you put yourself on the line, you know? And a lot of the times, a lot of the sacrifice goes unnoticed. But it’s what it is.”
