Stop treating Jake Paul, YouTubers as punching bags: Why boxing is to blame for its own problems (Fightin' Words, Episode 21)

Daniel Yanofsky

Stop treating Jake Paul, YouTubers as punching bags: Why boxing is to blame for its own problems (Fightin' Words, Episode 21) image

A lot has gone right this year in boxing. However, there will always be something that will drag down the sport. From failed drug tests, bad score cards, to fights not even happening until it is too late, boxing can’t help but get in its own way.

Matchups like Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta Davis are teased but never gain traction. Conor Benn failed a drug test and there were real debates as to whether his fight against Chris Eubank Jr. should stay intact or not. What about bad scorecards that always have social media in a frenzy?

One constant within the boxing world has come from an unlikely source: YouTubers.

The likes of Jake Paul, KSI, and Austin McBroom have helped the sport reach a new audience. They provide the fights that many didn’t think possible, even if it isn’t always favorable.

YouTubers aren’t ruining the integrity of the sport. Boxing itself is.

On this episode of Fightin’ Words, The Sporting News' Andreas Hale discusses why YouTubers are doing more to help than harm boxing. Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva may be something people will scoff at, but at least it is a fight that is happening. Paul and others aren't the ones boxing purists should be mad at.

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Daniel Yanofsky