The boxing world is gearing up for a clash billed as a historic “super fight” set for September 13th, pitting undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez against the formidable Terence Crawford. Promoted notably by UFC head Dana White, the bout is positioned as one of the most significant matchups in recent memory, sparking considerable discussion and anticipation.
However, not everyone shares the widespread enthusiasm regarding the fight`s overall scale and reach. Enter Jake Paul, the personality who has carved out a unique space in the boxing landscape through celebrity crossovers and high-profile call-outs. Fresh off promoting the third fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano – an event he championed heavily and even placed a substantial wager on – Paul offered a distinctly unimpressed perspective on the impending Canelo-Crawford contest.
Speaking after the Taylor-Serrano event, Paul suggested that the women`s trilogy he had just promoted carried more weight, at least in his estimation. His reasoning was pointedly focused on one half of the main event duo. “No one really knows who Crawford is, to be honest,” Paul remarked, delivering the kind of soundbite he is known for. He went further, employing a metric arguably unique to the digital age: follower counts. Paul claimed, perhaps with a touch of hyperbole, that his mother possessed more followers on Instagram than Terence Crawford. This commentary underscores Paul`s perspective that mainstream recognition, measured in digital influence, is a crucial factor in defining a fight`s “bigness,” a view that often diverges from traditional boxing purists who prioritize in-ring achievement.
Paul`s dismissal of the Canelo-Crawford fight`s prominence might also be viewed through the lens of his ongoing, public feud with Dana White. White`s venture into promoting this major boxing event represents a new territory for the UFC chief and his TKO Group. Given the history of verbal sparring between Paul and White, it is perhaps unsurprising that Paul would find an opportunity to critique an event heavily associated with his long-time adversary. This layer of personal rivalry adds another dimension to Paul`s commentary, suggesting his assessment may be influenced by promotional competition and personal history as much as a genuine appraisal of the fight`s market impact.
While Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are undisputed champions and future Hall of Famers within the sport itself, Paul`s comments highlight the evolving landscape of combat sports promotion where traditional accolades sometimes intersect uneasily with celebrity status and social media metrics. Paul continues to position himself as a disruptor, and his willingness to openly downplay a fight celebrated by many in the boxing establishment, particularly one backed by Dana White, reinforces this image. It appears the drama outside the ring, fueled by figures like Paul, remains a significant, if sometimes debated, part of the fight game narrative.
