Jake Paul is playing the role of a boxer well.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer-and-promoter knocked out Ryan Bourland in 2:37 of their scheduled eight-round, 200-pound fight Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Paul’s second consecutive first-round stoppage.
Paul overwhelmed Bourland from the start, fighting behind a sharp jab and connecting on brutal body shots before finishing him off.
The fight preceded the stunning announcement that the Amanda Serrano-Nina Meinke main event would not take place because Serrano has an eye injury.
JAKE PAUL STOPS RYAN BOURLAND IN THE FIRST ROUND!! pic.twitter.com/x8wRg8BCVZ
— Combat Media (@CombatMedias) March 3, 2024
“If you’re not first, you’re last,” Paul said immediately after his victory. “It’s plain and simple. There’s nothing else to it. Just shake and bake, dodge his little punches and put his sorry ass on the floor.
“That’s just how we do it from (his native) Ohio.”
Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) looked like a fighter who continues to improve from the outset. He used his jab to establish range and followed with several hard blows to the gut, which got Bourland’s attention.
Then, about two minutes into the fight, an overhand right to the side of Bourland’s head seemed to rock him and he went into survival mode.
Paul, smelling blood, unloaded a barrage of power punches in an attempt to finish the job as Bourland stumbled around the ring. Finally, the California fighter collapsed under a flurry of unanswered shots as referee Luis Pabon was in the process of stopping the fight.
Critics won’t give Paul credit because of Bourland’s obvious limitations but the loser did have amateur experience and 19 pro fights, making him Paul’s most-seasoned opponent.
Paul was asked afterward whether he would’ve preferred to go more rounds to gain experience himself and put on a longer show for the fans.
“He was supposed to give it to me, right,” he said. “This guy has 19 fights, super experienced. I guess I have to step up way more. I’m ready for the big leagues. I’m really sharp.
“This is my life now. I’m on the road to becoming a world champion.”
Those who follow boxing closely probably will roll their eyes when they read that quote given Paul’s late start and lack of experience.
And they already scoff at the idea of him facing future Hall of Famer and undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez, who remains an elite fighter at 33 years old.
That doesn’t deter Paul from calling out the Mexican superstar. He knows how much money he would stand to make if he could somehow lure Alvarez into the ring.
And even if he can’t — don’t get your hopes up — just mentioning Alvarez name will get him views and likes on social media, which he has mastered.
“Canelo, stop ducking,” he said. “I know you want it. I’m repping Puerto Rico, you’re repping Mexico. So it’s Puerto Rico vs. Mexico. I want Canelo. I want all the big names.
“Like I said, I’m the face of the sport. Who’s doing more for boxing than me? I prove it time and time again. I’m the most followed boxer, I have the most viral knockouts, period.
“No one can deny that. I’m here to stay.”
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