Jake Paul, known as “El Gallo de Dorado,” has rapidly become one of the most influential figures in the world of combat sports. After rising to stardom on YouTube, Paul quickly earned a reputation for his brash, unapologetic behavior, which often landed him in the headlines. This rebellious attitude and controversial persona led to the birth of another one of Paul’s nicknames, “The Problem Child.” Paul left behind the digital influencer life and made the bold pivot to professional boxing in 2020. Driven by his passion for the sport and a desire to redefine his legacy, he relocated to Puerto Rico to focus fully on his training and boxing career. The sport intrigued him, and Paul used his controversial internet image to propel his nascent boxing career.

“In the world of boxing, being the villain is the best thing,” Paul said in Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child, a 2023 Netflix documentary chronicling his YouTube career and meteoric rise in boxing.

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After competing in three professional fights and headlining his first pay-per-view event in April 2021, Paul took another bold step. In August 2021, he co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) with Nakisa Bidarian, aiming to give fighters greater creative control over their careers. Paul’s commitment to the sport extends beyond his own career, as he and MVP actively promote women’s boxing and support rising talent through initiatives like MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series. In 2023, Paul was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” issue — he was celebrated for revolutionizing the sport by advocating for equitable pay and creating platforms for young fighters, particularly women.

Paul’s impact in the ring is equally significant, with high-profile victories over names like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His viral knockouts and headline-grabbing performances have breathed new life into boxing, drawing millions of fans and setting records. Riding a wave of momentum, Paul is now eager to prove himself further as he steps into the ring to face the legendary Mike Tyson on Nov. 15.

“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” Paul said in an interview with Netflix. “Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself, to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.”

Outside the ring, Paul’s contributions to the sport extend into philanthropy and advocacy. In 2021, he launched the Boxing Bullies foundation, a nonprofit that empowers and inspires young people through boxing. He’s also been an outspoken advocate for fighter rights and pay equity and has partnered with USA Boxing to support the development of future Olympic athletes. Through his ventures and advocacy, Paul continues to shape the future of boxing and influence the broader sports and entertainment landscape.

Click the links to learn more about opponent Mike Tyson, and co-main event fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Ahead of the fight, learn more about the journey to the ring in Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, a three-part documentary coming to Netflix.

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