Jake Paul retires from influencer boxing, sets eyes on pro career

Paul, 27, who rose to prominence as a YouTuber, will now focus entirely on his professional boxing career, according to a statement from his promotion firm Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).

He has set his sights on a potential pay-per-view showdown with IBF, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez.

In a post on Instagram, MVP wrote: "Flashback Friday to when Jake Paul was an influencer boxer. Two fights, 2-0, 2 KOs. The best there was, is, and ever will be. Jake Paul is RETIRED from that sport. They need him, he doesn't need them, hence why they said his name 400 times this past week. Gib is the current best in that sport."

Paul, whose professional record now stands at 11-1 with 7 knockout wins, made his debut by defeating YouTuber AnEsonGib, before knocking out former basketball star Nate Robinson.

His most recent appearance in the influencer boxing scene was a controversial decision win over 58-year-old legendary boxer Mike Tyson on Nov. 15. While the bout set records of viewers, with 72,300 fans coming to the AT&T Stadium in Texas and 60 million more households worldwide watching on Netflix, it was widely criticized for the state of Tyson's physical condition and the 31-year age gap between the two.

Details regarding Paul's next steps in professional boxing remain unclear, but he is already facing calls for bouts against top fighters such as Ryan Garcia and Gervonta "Tank" Davis. His only professional loss came against Tyson Fury’s half-brother Tommy in a highly anticipated match in Saudi Arabia last year.

With Paul now stepping away from influencer boxing, MVP has named AnEsonGib as the new face of the sport. Gib recently defeated YouTuber Slim Albaher at Misfits Boxing 19.