Sports save lives, and for Jake Paul, boxing saved his.
There are countless examples of athletes picking up a sport to save their life. It happens a lot with boxers and MMA fighters; Paul is the latest to reveal that the sweet science saved his life.
Paul’s love letter to boxing
In a recent interview with Teddy Atlas, he revealed he would probably be jail if it wasn’t for boxing. He also understands why there is a backlash against him in the sport, but all he has ever wanted to do is help the sport.
“I understand people’s perspective about how it’s a circus and how this isn’t boxing but again all I’m doing is putting in the work and trying to get better in the gym and fighting tougher opponents each time. I respect this sport more than anything,” Paul said. “I think anyone that puts on the 10 oz gloves and gets in that squared circle should be respected because you’re risking your life at the end of the day and that’s why I take this very seriously,”
“All I ever wanted to do is to contribute to the sport, bring new eyeballs to the sport, help fighters get paid more.”
Paul would continue.
“Boxing saved my life, so I owe a ton to it. I would be in jail or probably dead somewhere if it weren’t for boxing because I was going down a really weird path in my early 20s that wasn’t sustainable and because of that I owe everything to this sport.
“That’s why i’m so passionate about making boxing great again. I have the hat that says make boxing great again…I’ll slowly earn more people’s respect.”
Paul really is trying to make boxing great again. His fighter Amanda Serrano is fighting Katie Taylor at the end of the month, and it will be the first women’s boxing match to headline Madison Square Garden.
As for Paul, he is planning to return to action in August. No opponent has been named.
