Honestly, if you told anyone back in 2018 that the guy from Disney Channel would be trading leather with Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua, they would've laughed you out of the room. It sounds like a fever dream. But here we are in 2026, and the "Problem Child" has basically turned the entire boxing industry upside down.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or someone who just tunes in to see him hopefully get clipped, you can't deny the guy has a resume that is—to put it lightly—bizarre. He’s gone from fighting fellow YouTubers to knocking out UFC legends and finally testing the waters against world-class heavyweights.
The Early Days: Influencers and Athletes
It all started with Deji Olatunji in a white-collar match on the undercard of his brother Logan's fight. Jake won that one by TKO, and it clearly gave him the bug.
His professional debut was against AnEsonGib in early 2020. People expected a "YouTube brawl," but Jake looked like he’d actually been training. He stopped Gib in the first round. Then came the viral moment that really put him on the map: the knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson. That faceplant became a meme for months, but more importantly, it proved Jake had legitimate power in his right hand.
The MMA Era: Taking Down the Legends
Once he ran out of athletes from other sports to bully, Jake turned his sights on the MMA world. This is where things got controversial. Critics argued he was picking older guys or "strikers" who weren't actually boxers.
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- Ben Askren: The former Bellator and ONE champion was known for wrestling, not punching. Jake flatlined him in the first round.
- Tyron Woodley: This was a step up. They fought twice. The first was a close split decision, but the second? Jake landed a monstrous overhand right that put the former UFC champ out cold.
- Anderson Silva: Probably Jake's most impressive win for a long time. Even at his age, "The Spider" is a combat sports deity. Jake actually dropped him in the final round to secure a unanimous decision.
- Nate Diaz: The Stockton native brought the attitude, but the size difference was too much. Jake won comfortably over ten rounds.
That First Reality Check
Every hype train eventually hits a wall. For Jake, that wall was Tommy Fury. For the first time, he fought a "real" boxer—someone his own age who had been doing this since they were a kid. It was a close fight, and Jake even scored a knockdown, but Fury's fundamentals won him the split decision in Saudi Arabia.
Most people thought that was the end. It wasn't.
The Heavyweight Pivot: Tyson and Joshua
After the Fury loss, Jake went on a tear. He knocked out Andre August and Ryan Bourland—two actual professional boxers, though not world-beaters. He then stopped BKFC star Mike Perry before the world stopped to watch the Netflix spectacle.
The Mike Tyson Fight
In November 2024, Jake fought Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium. It was a weird night. Tyson, who was 58 at the time, started strong but faded fast. Jake took a unanimous decision, and while he was respectful—even bowing to Tyson in the final seconds—the crowd wasn't thrilled. It was a spectacle, not a masterclass.
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The Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Bout
In June 2025, Jake took on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and won a 10-round unanimous decision. This was another notch on the belt of "beating legends past their prime," but it kept the momentum moving toward something much more dangerous.
The Anthony Joshua Clash
Just a few weeks ago, in December 2025, Jake finally bit off more than he could chew. He stepped into the ring with Anthony Joshua in Miami. Unlike his previous opponents, AJ is a massive, active, elite heavyweight. Jake hung in there for six rounds, showing a chin that surprised a lot of people, but Joshua eventually caught him. The TKO loss was a massive reality check, but strangely, it earned Jake more respect than some of his wins. He survived six rounds with a two-time world champion.
What’s Next for Jake Paul in 2026?
The rumors for this year are already wild. His manager, Nakisa Bidarian, has been hinting at a few different paths.
One option is a move back down to Cruiserweight, which is more his natural size. He’s already ranked by the WBA, and there's talk of him taking on lower-ranked pros to build back toward a title shot. Names like Jai Opetaia have been floated, though that seems like a suicide mission right now.
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The "Money Fight" option is a rematch with Nate Diaz. Fans love Diaz, and the first fight was a massive pay-per-view success. There's also the long-delayed grudge match against KSI. They've been talking trash for nearly a decade; 2026 might finally be the year they settle it at Madison Square Garden.
If you’re tracking his record, he currently sits at 12-2. He’s no longer just an influencer playing dress-up; he’s a legitimate part of the boxing ecosystem. Whether he’s a "real" boxer is still a debate for the barbershops, but he’s definitely a real draw.
If you're looking to follow his next move, keep an eye on the MVP (Most Valuable Promotions) announcements. He usually fights twice a year, and with the Joshua loss behind him, his next opponent will likely be someone he can actually beat to get back in the win column.