Jake Paul reveals how boxing saved his life after struggling with the LA lifestyle of drugs, money and fame at a young age
Jake Paul will take on Mike Tyson at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15
The 27-year-old struggled with drugs, money and fame when he was younger
Paul said he is surprised he didn’t ‘die’ due to the LA lifestyle he had at 21/22
Jake Paul has praised boxing for transforming his life, revealing how the sport helped him overcome struggles with drugs and alcohol that arose from the pressures of early fame.
Jake first made a name for himself back in 2013 on the now-defunct social platform Vine and today boasts just shy of 52million followers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
He pivoted careers to boxing, going pro in 2020 with a record of 10-1 after taking on the likes Anderson Silva, Andre August, and Tyron Woodley, with his only loss coming against Tommy Fury.
Paul – who will take on Iron Mike at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium in Texas on November 15 in what many are calling a ‘clash of generations’ – said he struggled with drugs and alcohol before finding boxing.
The YouTuber told Netflix in their recent docu-series that he felt ‘lost at the age of 21’ and thanked boxing for giving him the ‘wake up call’ he needed – forcing him to ‘sober up’ and ‘focus’ on his new found passion.
Jake Paul has praised boxing for transforming his life, revealing how the sport helped him overcome struggles with drugs and alcohol that arose from the pressures of early fame
Tyson and Paul are due to go head-to-head in the ring on Friday, November 15 in Texas
Speaking to Netflix, Paul said: ‘We were making real money from this [his YouTube channel]. But, then it was like what is next? So, I moved to LA at 17 years old and auditioned for Disney.
‘That kind of blew me up because I was the first ever social media star on a real show. That’s where things went to the next level and that’s when I became the most viewed YouTuber. ‘
Paul went on to add: ‘Los Angeles is this fast paced life style. Drugs, alcohol, money, looks. I was lost in it as any 21 or 22 year old with 10’s of millions of dollars and fame would be.
‘It wasn’t until boxing when I physically had to fight someone else that I had to be sober and I had to focus that I felt better. It was like this giant wake up call that boxing provided me.
‘I am just thankful that I didn’t die. It was pretty f***ing crazy. I kind of found my old self that had been stripped away from me in Hollywood. That’s when I started to realise ‘oh s*** I’ve caught the boxing bug.’ I was like this is all I am going to do.’
Paul was let go by Disney in 2017 while starring in the popular Disney Channel show Bizaardvark. Although the exact details of his departure were not publicly detailed by Disney, both Paul and Disney indicated it was a mutual decision. The primary reasons were likely related to his growing controversies outside of the show.
At the time, Paul was gaining a significant following on social media, particularly YouTube, where he often posted edgy, prank-filled videos that attracted criticism.
One specific incident that contributed to the decision was when Paul and his team caused chaos in his West Hollywood neighbourhood, which upset his neighbours and drew negative media attention.
Paul hired and fired by Disney as part of a tumultuous rise to fame via his social media backing
Jake and brother Logan both became online stars in their own right before taking to the ring
This behaviour didn’t align well with Disney’s family-friendly image, making it challenging for the network to maintain is role on Bizaardvark – ultimately parting ways.
In June 2020 the YouTuber was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly – both misdemeanours – for looting an Arizona mall during Black Lives Matter protests.
A month later he was in hot water with the city of Calabasas after throwing a party at the height of the pandemic when the rest of the state of California was under stay-at-home orders. He was also quoted as calling the COVID-19 pandemic ‘a hoax.’
His home was then raided by the FBI in August of 2020 in connection with the Arizona riot. Cameras captured authorities seizing numerous firearms from Jake’s place and sources told the Daily Mail at the time that federal agents also took computers and hard drives.
However, Paul is adamant he has turned over a new leaf since then – focusing on his own boxing career, as well as going out of his way to help promote Amanda Serrano through Most Valuable Promotions.
Paul made his professional debut at the age of 23 years on January 30, 2020 against Ali Eson Gib. The YouTuber-turned-boxer defeated Gib via 1st round TKO, making a successful beginning of his pro career.
Paul went on to face several other opponents, with his latest fight coming against Perry – who he defeated via a 6th-round TKO at age 27, on July 20, 2024.
Next up, Paul will face the former heavyweight world champion – Tyson.
