David Price believes that Jake Paul will return to the ring in 2026 because the 29-year-old is chasing ‘the rush and recognition of being in the boxing ring’.
Speaking exclusively to 247Bet recently, the former heavyweight boxer from Liverpool branded Jake Paul an ‘adrenaline junkie’ and admitted that he can see why the YouTube icon keeps getting back in the ring despite sustaining a broken jaw in his fight against Anthony Joshua in December.
On what is motivating Jake Paul’s boxing career, he said:
“It’s like asking someone why they want to go and do a bungee jump or jump out of plane with a parachute. It’s all about the adrenaline. Jake Paul is an adrenaline junkie, he has that within him, and getting in the boxing ring is his way of getting his fix.”
On Jake Paul’s fight with Anthony Joshua, he said:
“He did get his jaw broke, which is very rare in boxing. Injuries like that don’t happen that often, which shows you that Jake Paul shouldn’t have been in there with Anthony Joshua.”
On Jake Paul’s status in boxing, he said:
“Jake Paul is getting more respect to a degree, because people are starting to see him as a fighter who is doing it properly. At this stage, when you look at his record, you can see he’s had a real go, so I can see why he keeps getting back in the ring.”
Jake Paul has made recently headlines for reasons outside of the ring, both for showing support for girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, at the Winter Olympics, and for making controversial remarks about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl half-time performance.
David Price on Jake Paul’s boxing motivations: ‘It’s like asking someone why they want to jump out of a plane’
Q: Jake Paul sustained a broken jaw from his fight with Anthony Joshua. You could argue that he’s got enough money to not have to take on these injuries, so why do you think Jake Paul keeps putting himself in the ring?
David Price: It’s like asking someone why they want to go and do a bungee jump or jump out of plane with a parachute. It’s all about the adrenaline. Jake Paul is an adrenaline junkie, he has that within him, and getting in the boxing ring is his way of getting his fix.
Because he’s already got that much money, buying things is not going to make him feel alive. Jake Paul has already got more money than he will ever need, but he needs this rush and this recognition that you get from being in the ring. He wants the notoriety that comes with being in the limelight.
He’s done okay at boxing, to be fair. People can say things like the Joshua fight was staged or that Joshua carried him, whatever, but Jake Paul made things happen by making it a bit tricky and just keeping moving.
He did get his jaw broke, which is very rare in boxing. Injuries like that don’t happen that often, which shows you that Jake Paul shouldn’t have been in there with Anthony Joshua.
But it’s totally down to him and how much he needs that fix of feeling alive. Clearly, the best way for him to get it is, not just getting in the ring, but going through the camp and the training, and feeling like a fighter. It’s a great feeling, especially if you win. Even if you lose, sometimes you can lose and come out with recognition, with your stock risen.
Jake Paul is getting more respect to a degree, because people are starting to see him as a fighter who is doing it properly. He’s putting the training camps in, and he’s getting the right people in his corner. At this stage, when you look at his record, you can see he’s had a real go, so I can see why he keeps getting back in the ring.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s also the main photographer for the 4CornersMafia Car Club.
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