More than six years after Logan Paul introduced influencer boxing to the professional scene, Jake Paul is preparing for the biggest challenge of his career this Friday night.
In November 2019, Logan Paul faced KSI in a highly anticipated rematch at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, organized by Eddie Hearn under Matchroom Boxing’s early US ventures. The event drew over 10,000 attendees and more than 350,000 pay-per-view buys. Despite being the clear favorite due to his size and athleticism, Logan lost the fight in a contentious split decision, which led to the dismissal of his trainer, two-time heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs.
Jake Paul, who initially trained alongside Logan under amateur coach Milton “Supreme” LaCroix, witnessed his brother’s emotional defeat. KSI had employed Briggs for the rematch, but unfortunately, Logan struggled with nerves and lost crucial points after aggressively tackling his opponent following a late knockdown. The rivalry and disappointment culminated in a visibly emotional Jake sharing his feelings on YouTube the following day.
Briggs later revealed in an exclusive interview that Jake was deeply affected by Logan’s loss, describing him as “crying like a little girl,” which contributed to the eventual split between Briggs and Logan’s camp. Despite the setback, Briggs acknowledged Jake’s dedication to training and expressed optimism about Jake’s upcoming bout with Anthony Joshua.
Fan Take: This moment is pivotal for fight fans as it highlights the emotional and professional stakes behind influencer boxing’s rise. Jake Paul’s upcoming fight against a top-tier opponent like Anthony Joshua could further legitimize or drastically reshape the sport’s landscape, depending on the outcome.
