In 2018, Jake Paul faced Deji, the brother of rival KSI, in an amateur boxing bout. While it was thought to be a one-shot deal, Paul's interest in the sport continued to grow.
Since 2020, Paul has gone 6-1 as a professional, with four wins coming via knockout. His next bout will be against former UFC star Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on August 5. The 10-round catchweight contest will air on DAZN and ESPN+ PPV.
If he can beat Diaz, that would be Paul’s fifth win over an MMA fighter. He has beaten Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), and Anderson Silva.
Diaz, 38, left the UFC after beating Tony Ferguson in September 2022, ending a 2-3 run in his last five contests.
Paul looks to return in the win column following his first professional defeat.
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The Sporting News looks into the last time Paul fought and who was the one to end his undefeated streak.
Who did Jake Paul lose to in boxing fight?
Paul faced Tommy Fury at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on February 26, 2023. This was The Problem Child's first time facing a legitimate boxer.
The matchup was a long time coming, with Fury withdrawing on more than one occasion. The Englishman pulled out of a bout in December 2021 because of a rib injury. The following year, visa issues and a problem with ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authority) prevented him from entering the U.S. for an August 2022 date.
Finally, the fight went ahead in the Middle East.
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The bout opened up with the two attempting to find gaps in the other’s game plan. Paul was the aggressor early on, while Fury was the more technical of the two. Fury’s best round came in the fourth when he landed combinations and short rights. Applying pressure, Fury punched through Paul's defenses.
Things got weird in the fifth. Following multiple warnings, Paul was deducted a point for hitting Fury behind the head. Paul followed that up with jabs and a left hook that hurt his opponent. Fury adapted well, scored with a right of his own, and saw out the rough patch.
The sixth round also saw a point deduction, this time on Fury's side, when he was penalized for holding. Meanwhile, Paul remained the aggressor and marched forward with hooks.
MORE: How to bet Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
In the eighth, Paul managed to drop his man with a jab in a shocking moment. Fury recovered and landed combinations to see out the round.
One judge scored the bout 75-74 in favor of Paul, while the two other officials had it 76-73 for Fury, who walked away with a majority decision win.
Per CompuBox, Paul landed 39 of 157 strikes (31.2%), with Fury landing 88 of 302 strikes 29.1%. Fury landed more power punches (49 to 24) and more jabs (39 to 25). The English fighter also landed in double digits in five of the rounds. Meanwhile, Paul landed double-digit shots only once.
Paul has been calling for a rematch ever since and that may happen in the future.
