Jake Paul has called for young people to swap their guns for boxing gloves following the tragic death of popular rapper Takeoff.
Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was one-third of the award-winning rap group Migos, who rose to popularity in 2013 following the release of their song 'Versace'. The 28-year-old was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday morning when a fight broke out at bowling alley in Houston, Texas. Shots were fired and police rushed to the scene, where Takeoff was pronounced dead whilst two others were injured.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, who picked up his sixth professional win this past weekend when he beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, reacted to the news by tweeting: "Senseless killings need to stop. Need to unify. RIP TAKEOFF. To all the youth…put down the guns and pick up some boxing gloves to settle your differences. Violence is not the answer."
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Several other fighters have since paid their tributes to Takeoff following his death, with Chris Eubank Jr writing: "I remember Takeoff being a very down to earth, cool dude. Cant believe I’m having to say this again about another young black star being killed for no reason, something really has to change in the industry, it’s sickening how easy & often people are dying. RIP Takeoff." Bellator fighter Dillon Danis also paid his respects, writing: "Rest in Peace Takeoff".
Paul ditched his internet fame for a career in boxing two and a half years ago and has since become one of the most popular fighters in the world. 'The Problem Child' admitted he has lost faith in his generation after being accused that his win against Silva was "fixed", stating on The MMA Hour : "I dedicate everything, sacrifice everything, every single day, bust my balls, have a 15-person team working around the clock to help me become the best boxer possible.
"When I do something like beating Anderson Silva, they try to take it away from me. But I know deep down, and I guess that’s all that really matters. I lose faith in my generation and my peers and us as a society and a world when I see that type of stuff and that type of stupidity," Paul added. "It just sucks. It sucks because I worked so hard for this."
