Jake Paul has revealed that his altercation with Floyd Mayweather was a PR stunt designed to go viral.
The YouTuber-turned-fighter recently made the headlines by fleeing from the retired 50-0 pro when he was approached by him and his team outside a basketball game in Miami.
A discussion in the fighting world ensued as to whether or not the young Ohio native was right to run. Paul later challenged Mayweather to a fight inside the ropes to settle it. The man self-branded as ‘The Best Ever’ didn’t respond.
Floyd if you want to fight 1 on 1 we can do that but don’t try to hop out of 3 cars 25 dudes deep tryna to jump me while I’m tryna enjoy my Wednesday night
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 9, 2023
In an interview with Wade Plem, Paul has now revealed that the situation was pre-planned.
“Yeah it was [a PR stunt.]”
“We were like ‘let’s set this up and make this go viral’ – and viral it did. It went on like every single news page and outlet. We got exactly what we wanted out of it. We needed people to think it was real. This was us at dinner planning it out.”
I’m shock d.. The nerve (Drake Voice) https://t.co/PvrNdzTuJh
— Wade Plemons (@WadePlem) April 8, 2023
Paul then showed the host a picture of the pair.
If the American is to be believed, fans, with hindsight, won’t be hugely surprised. The two men, both superstars in their own right, have found success through their ability to be talked about.
Mayweather is currently keeping boxing’s exhibition scene alive with his worldwide tours to fight combat sports personalities and content creators. His latest was in the UK, a strange affair with Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers. He has previously faced Paul’s brother, Logan.
As for ‘The Problem Child’, he’s pursuing a professional fighting career. That fell at what some saw as the first hurdle when he was outpointed by Tommy Fury over eight rounds in Saudi Arabia. The pair are expected to run it back later this year.
