It wasn't long before Jake Paul got recognition for his efforts in the world of boxing.
Paul will return to action on Saturday 28 June for his last professional outing in the ring, while heading an event in the Honda Center in Anaheim.
After Paul's victory over Mike Tyson in a record-breaking Netflix broadcast, 'The Problem Child' will fight for former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. It will mark Paul's 13th Pro Bout since his debut in 2020.
To this day, many in the combat sports community continue to reduce the boxing career of the resident of Cleveland. Detractors brand his CV Illegiemem because of the competition with which he is confronted.
But although he has many critics for five years, Paul soon gave praise for his efforts from some, which resulted in a remarkable award in just his second year as a professional.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty images
Jake Paul won ESPN Ringside's 2021 Knockout of the Year Award
Paul played heads with his third performance of 2021. After victories over former UFC stars Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, 'The Problem Child' was confronted with Tommy Fury in December.
When the injury pulled out the Brit, Paul ran out Woodley in their short-note rematch instead and marked his biggest victory up to that moment.
The ex-Disney star shocked the masses when he made contact with a brutal right hand who was 'The Chosen One' in round six of their main event in the Amalie Arena of Tampa.
That finish was so emphatically that it was even voted for the knockout of ESPN Ringside of the year before 2021. That was more than Tyson Furies finish against Deontay Wilder and Oscar Valdez's stoppage versus Miguel Berchelt.
While Paul collected 56 percent of just north of 68,000 votes cast, 'The Gypsy King' was second with 37 percent.
Boxing Community hit the prize of Jake Paul
It is not surprising, given the criticism aimed at Paul by boxing traditionalists, the decision to record Paul as a candidate after his result against a mixed war artist a lot of recoil.
And just as expected, the victory of the polarizing online star led to many angry reactions on social media.
“To be honest, it is a shame, you even put this on the mood. A man who doesn't fight against real boxers and the other man is not a boxer at all,” wrote one fan.
“It was a brutal ko, but I feel a bit bad for the actual boxers such as Valdez who earn quite more.”
“State of boxing nowadays.”
“That is embarrassing”
“Are you joking?”
“Why? This is disgusting. Such a shame, such a lack of respect for boxers who tried to compete all their lives and reach the top.”
“So koing people who are not boxers now win prices?”
To be honest, it is a shame, you even put this on the mood. A man who does not fight real boxers and the other man is not a boxer at all. Why don't you give Rocky the Lifetime Achievement Award?
– Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@ishesugarshay) December 30, 2021
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Paul will now want to throw his name in the mix for the 2025 prize by setting up a violent display on 28 June at the expense of Chavez Jr.