Jake Paul, a former YouTuber turned boxer, is set to fight little-known boxer Andre August on Dec. 15, as part of his goal to gain more experience in boxing and eventually compete for a world championship, with his ultimate aim being a match against Canelo Alvarez, the current undisputed super middleweight champion.
Jake Paul is putting his money where his mouth is. He’s stepping up his game.
Paul recently announced his next boxing match against Andre August, a relatively unknown boxer. The match is set for Dec. 15 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Fla. This matchup is a surprise, as August is a big departure from Paul’s usual opponents, who are typically former MMA fighters or influencers. But, August is a 10-1-1 boxer from Houston with a low profile. Paul says that’s precisely why he chose him.
Paul explained his reasoning on The MMA Hour. He said, “It’s mostly for me, for my experience, my road to world championship, and to grow inside the squared circle.” He wants to prove that his ambition to become a world champion isn’t just a gimmick or a marketing ploy. He’s serious about it.
He’s acting like a boxing prospect, building his experience in the ring, taking challenges, and staying sharp in camp. He said, “This is the time I need to be able to get to that level of being the best in the world.” He’s not just about making money anymore. He’s already generated $250 million, $200 million in pay-per-view sales. Now, it’s about real boxing.
Paul, a former YouTuber and Disney Channel star, has made a name for himself in boxing. He’s been targeting former MMA legends for his opposition. After losing a split decision to Tommy Fury at the start of 2023, he rebounded with a win over Nate Diaz. There was talk of a rematch with Diaz in MMA, but those negotiations fizzled. Now, he’s moving forward with his other plans.
Paul said, “I think there’s still some names that need to be taken care of, like Tommy Fury or KSI for example.” He’s not waiting around for anyone or anything. He’s determined to reach his goal. He’s focused on gaining experience through more fights.
His ultimate goal? A world championship and an eventual fight with Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez is the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world and the biggest name in boxing. Paul believes he’s closer to this level of fight than most people think.
Paul said, “I think the path that I’m on now tees me up in the future to fight Canelo.” He’s showing that he can go 10 or 12 rounds with real, legitimate pro boxers and beat them. He believes a fight with Canelo would be interesting and historical.
To increase Canelo’s interest, Paul needs to show that he’s serious about boxing. He’s not just doing it for a quick payday. The August matchup is part of this strategy. Paul said the response to his fight announcement has been “Ninety percent positive.”
If Paul can actually win, he’ll earn more respect. His first professional loss was against Fury, a boxer with professional experience. But Paul believes that if he focuses on himself and the fundamentals, he’ll win. Then, it’s full steam ahead towards Canelo.
Paul said, “For sure, two to three [fights in 2024].” He’s determined to stay sharp and grow. He’s focused on his goal of being the best in the world. He said, “I’m going to become a world champion or die trying.”