Love him or loathe him, Jake Paul’s entry into the ring hasn’t just turned heads; it’s ignited debate. But for all the criticism, there are real voices within boxing that suggest he’s done more than just make a spectacle: he may actually be improving the sport.
One of the strongest endorsements comes from Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC). As ESPN reports, Sulaimán said.
“Anything that promotes boxing, anything that brings new eyeballs to the sport, new interest, new enthusiasm has to be supported.”
This sums up one of the key arguments in Paul’s favour: his ability to attract a fresh, younger audience to boxing through his social media fame.
Paul himself is unapologetic about his ambitions. Speaking to Bleacher Report (via Sky Sports), he claimed:
That’s a very bold statement and whether you believe it, it frames how Paul sees his own impact: he’s not just a boxer, but a promoter, a showman, and an evolution of the sport.
Insiders in boxing also acknowledge Paul’s legitimacy in the ring. His coach, BJ Flores, told Sky Sports that Paul “punches harder, he’s smarter, [and] has a higher boxing IQ” than Tommy Fury. Sky Sports in other words, this isn’t just a social-media-gimmick fighterhis team genuinely believes he’s improving technically.
Yes, it’s real.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 17, 2025
JAKE PAUL vs ANTHONY JOSHUA will go head to head in a pro heavyweight fight LIVE only on Netflix. Friday December 19. #JakeJoshua pic.twitter.com/OSx2H6IKx4
Perhaps most surprisingly, Teddy Atlas, a long-respected voice in boxing, who’s coached boxers like: Bary McGuigan and Alexander Povetkin offered praise after Paul’s win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. According to Sports Illustrated, Atlas said: “I’ve gotta give [Paul] real ultimate credit for: I think his best punch is his jab. I know he’s got a good right hand, he’s got power in the right hand… but his jab is his best punch.”
Coming from a veteran like Atlas, this is not empty praise; they suggest that Paul’s boxing isn’t far off the normal spectacle.
Yet, even with these positive takes, questions remain. Is Paul genuinely raising the bar, or simply making boxing more entertaining? Critics worry that his opponents often retired athletes or non-boxers, undermine the unique upbringing of the competition. Promoters question how long this will last: can social-media-led boxing maintain momentum when matched against elite professionals?
But as of writing, Jake Paul has announced a boxing match against Former heavyweight Champion of the world, Anthony Joshua. The two will fight on December 19th in Miami Florida; this will silence the critics, facing a genuine fighter, it will be his first test. But due to his name does he get the automatic leap to the ‘big fight?’, Paul, being known as a top 60-70 cruiserweight, now will face fierce competition with Anthony Joshua being up there with being the top 10 boxers in the world.
Still, when you combine Paul’s own confidence, the respect from boxing authorities like Sulaimán, and the technical praise from people like Flores and Atlas, there is a compelling case that he has made a positive contribution to the sport. He’s helping to modernise it, to challenge and perhaps most importantly, to draw in fans who otherwise might not care about boxing at all. Especially with his fight against Anthony Joshua coming up, will it gain massive attention on social media, most probably yes but could this test be too much for Paul?
So, has Jake Paul improved boxing? The answer depends on what you value. If you care about reach, growth, and innovation then yes, he probably has. If you prioritise tradition, technical purity, and elite-level competition, then maybe his impact is more than complicated. Either way, he’s not just another name in boxing.
He’s a force, and the boxing audience is watching.
