JAKE Paul’s conflicting mystique could, in many ways, be likened to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a story where the duality of human nature is explored in great detail.
On the one hand, Paul continually tricks and deceives the less cynical of fans into believing that his ‘fights’ – if they could even be labelled as such – are worth a shred of attention.
And by doing so, he has, to an almost criminal degree, been allowed to run wild though the already chaotic world of boxing, laughing his way to the bank after every uninspiring display.
In that same breath, though, it could also be said that Paul treats the sport with a level of care that remains in short supply.
He has, after all, generated a seismic splash through his involvement in women’s boxing, which seemed as though it had encountered a rough patch in the not too distant past.
With more established promoters allowing their contracts to terminate, there was, all of a sudden, a lack of consideration given to the female code.
Eddie Hearn, for instance, has openly admitted to reeling back his investment in women’s boxing, only wishing to sign a select few fighters, such as Tiah-Mai Ayton and Molly McCann, who are likely to pull in immediate clicks and views.
Paul, on the other hand, has put together a long-term plan, hoping to develop Most Valuable Promotions, his new outfit, into a UFC-style organisation.
The downside, of course, is that women’s boxing could swiftly become a dictatorship, like the UFC, where Paul – leaning more towards his villainous alter ego – acts as a Machiavellian leader who, above all else, is hell-bent on widening his profit margins.
But while that represents a genuine possibility, it must be said that the early signs of his promotion appear promising.
Headlining the first all-women’s MVP card, which takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York, this Friday, will be Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s eagerly-anticipated trilogy showdown.
And along with their super-lightweight undisputed clash, several more intriguing title fights should, while also reaching out to a sizable audience on Netflix, deliver an action-packed night to remember.
But Paul, dare it be said, should equally receive an element of acclaim, not least for sticking a considerable lump of money on the event.
This side of the social media star, unlike the ‘fighter’ version, is therefore more akin to Dr. Jekyll, a fictional character known for his expansive mind and thoughtfulness.
At the same time, however, Mr. Hyde – who, for now, only ever emerges with a pair of gloves – could soon trample over the flourishing world that Paul is creating.
In other words, the American’s business interests may only align with women’s boxing for so long, perhaps until a more lucrative opportunity pokes its head around the corner.
From that angle, it is best to view Paul’s antics – both in and out of the ring – through a critical lens.
But equally, the 28-year-old could be celebrated in years to come, as bizarre as it may sound, as the man who spearheaded a watershed moment for female fighters.
