Dana White does not consider Jake Paul’s contribution to boxing to be insignificant. He believes the YouTuber-turned boxer plays the heel role perfectly, and because of that, people who hate him still tune in, hoping to see him get knocked out.
White recently sat down with Piers Morgan, and the UFC CEO was asked to share his thoughts on Paul’s career, the latter’s most recent loss, and whether he thinks “The Problem Child” is an asset for the sport.
Paul and Joshua locked horns in a heavyweight boxing match last December, where the YouTuber-turned boxer was knocked down a total of four times and lost by Round 6 TKO. Paul also broke his jaw in two places and had to undergo surgery right after the fight.
The 56-year-old believes that, despite losing to Anthony Joshua, Paul at least lasted for 6 rounds and didn’t get knocked out in Round 2, like former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Dana White Credits Jake Paul for Playing the Heel “Perfectly” and Building a Massive Empire
During the aforementioned interview with Piers Morgan, Dana White said:
Jake Paul is doing his thing. He’s made a lot of money. People have been interested, and he plays the heel perfectly. If you hate all he is doing and you hate all the stuff about him, then you tuned in to see him getting knocked out.”
White opined the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua bout was a “terrible” one, and the 29-year-old did everything to avoid a fight before adding:
“Once he got hit with that shot and he went down, broke his jaw, AJ didn’t knock him out. He definitely didn’t knock him out the way he knocked Francis out. So, if I give Jake Paul any credit, I’ll give him that, and that he’s built himself a business and he’s made a lot of money.”
Check out Dana White’s comments about Jake Paul below:
Jake Paul has been on the sidelines while his jaw heals. He most recently had a heated exchange with Ilia Topuria during Adin Ross’ stream, during which the lightweight champ called him a mediocre boxer after Paul challenged him to spar right after that.
