TAMPA, Fla. — Frank Gore first saw Jake Paul fight in January 2020. It was Paul’s pro boxing debut, a first-round knockout of fellow YouTube star AnEsonGib.
At the time, the longtime NFL star running back thought that he could beat Paul. Gore had been training in boxing for more than a decade to that point. But Gore kept watching. He saw Paul knock out NBA veteran Nate Robinson in November 2020. And then Paul knocked out MMA champion Ben Askren last April.
Gore watched Paul beat former UFC champion Tyron Woodley back in August via split decision. On Saturday, Gore was on the undercard of the Paul vs. Woodley rematch against NBA All Star Deron Williams — and after his fight, he saw Paul knock Woodley out cold in the sixth round.
“Every time he stepped in the ring, bro, he got better and better,” Gore said earlier this week. “They say YouTuber, to now, the guys he beat? You’ve got to take your hat off to this man. I respect what he’s done.”
This has been a year of silencing naysayers for Paul, who is still only 24 years old. Many still exist. And Paul has still yet to fight anyone with real pro boxing experience. But Paul’s massive right hand was an exclamation point on a remarkable stretch. Over the last 12 months, he’s won three times with two knockouts, and perhaps most importantly, he’s emerged as one of the most bankable pay-per-view stars in combat sports.
“Look at what I just did,” Paul said after stopping Woodley in their rematch. “Look at the year I just had. Unprecedented. One of the most valuable boxers in this sport. Four fights. Four massive pay-per-views in 13 months. I’ve knocked out every single person that I’ve fought.”
In addition to what he’s done in the ring, Paul is making a major imprint outside of it. He and adviser Nakisa Bidarian started Most Valuable Promotions, which has promoted both Woodley…
Source : espn
