[Jake Paul](https://www.instagram.com/jakepaul/?hl=en) will be talked about for years, even generations to come. Ending 2020 on the highest note possible, the Problem Child broke the internet on Saturday, November 28th, knocking out NBA player Nate Robinson within the first 2 minutes in Round 2 of their pro-boxing match. Given the mandated stay-at-home orders due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, viewers had no choice but to tune in to the undercard before the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
At first glance, you may look at Jake Paul’s 13.9 million followers on Instagram and assume he’s just another social media star or YouTuber, but he’s actually a pro-boxer who’s been fighting for nothing more than a pure love and respect for the sport. After winning his first fight, he immediately became enthralled with boxing, an amazing feeling when you work so hard to accomplish something and it pays off.
He explains, “Boxing's something that’s helped keep me on track and kept me focused in my life. It's given me something to work for and look forward to, I really love this sport and I really respect it.”
Describing himself as “a kid from Ohio who followed my dream,” Paul is an overall entertainer, with music being another layer to his pool of talents.
Flaunt caught up with Paul via FaceTime a few days prior to the fight, who had ironically predicted the outcome stating, “I’m about to knock out Nate Robinson in 3 days.” Low and behold, Paul’s confidence, experience, and relentless training would lead him to victory.
**Why are you the Problem Child?**
My whole childlife, I’ve been the odd one out. The kid who’s causing trouble, the class clown. It still seems to be that way. Once I finally embraced I was the Problem Child and this is who I am—I’m going to cause havoc, I'm going to piss people off, I'm going to get in trouble—I finally felt liberated. I'm the fucking Problem Child.
**What are you most excited for fighting against NBA Basketball Player Nate Robinson during the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight?**
It’s going to be a historic night. So many legends are going to be there that night: Mario Lopez, Israel Adesanya, Lil Wayne’s performing. I’m excited for the whole entire night, I’m excited to put on a show. I’ve been boxing and training for 6 months now, I’m in tip-top shape. I’m feeling better than ever. Saturday, people are going to see me knockout Nate Robinson. I want people to put some respect on my name in the boxing world. It’s a dream come true honestly, to be on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
**What’s the preparation like?**
It’s nonstop. I’ve dedicated my past 6 to 8 months to this, training 2 times a day. We’re swimming, biking, joking, hitting the heavy bags, sparring professional boxers, push-ups, weight lifting, hanging cleans, recovery, ice baths, cryotherapy, stretching, yoga, all sorts of stuff to get ready for this fight. I put the work in, the hard part’s done. Now, I get to enjoy the fruits of the labor and get to do what I do best. I’m a game-time player, I’m a game time performer. I love pressure, I love showing out in front of people. I love when the cameras are on and recording.
**Who do you listen to when you train?**
Man. \[laughs\] I listen to a lot of people. We listen to King Von, rest in peace King Von. He’s a legend, I love his stuff. Lots of Drake, Meek Mill, anything with a turn up, hype vibes.
**They say some fight for glory, some fight for passion. What do you fight for?**
I fight to prove people wrong honestly, first and foremost. I’ve been an underdog my whole life, no one’s ever really believed in me. Nate Robinson’s a pro-athlete, he's going to come in there, he’s buff, he’s an NBA player, a lot of people think he’s going to win this fight. For me, I’m fighting to prove people wrong. I’m fighting for my legacy so that one day, I have something to show my kids like “look at what your dad did.” This means a lot to me, it's more than a fight.
**What are those convos with Mike Tyson like?**
He’s a dope guy, you could definitely feel his presence. That legendary presence. He’s smart, has a lot of knowledge. It’s cool to see him be himself, cool to get to know him. He was super nice to me, gave me some advice on fighting and staying out of trouble outside of the ring. I showed him my new music video, he got up and started dancing. \[laughs\] He’s young at heart, he’s an amazing guy.
**Coming up, what were your main dreams and aspirations? Was it boxing, music, Youtube?**
For me, I love to entertain. Anything I can do to entertain people, I always see myself on big stages and in big moments. Really my dreams and goals are to be a legend, to do legendary things and make history. I’ve done a good job of that already. That's how I live my life, to make history and to cement my legacy. Make sure that Jake Paul will forever be remembered.
**What was your secret to gaining a presence online?**
Hard work honestly, there’s not really a secret. You have to dedicate your life to it. If you want to be the best at something you have to go in 110%. A lot of people aren’t willing to do that, a lot of people are afraid of failure. A lot of people are afraid to be judged by their peers but if you commit yourself and don’t look back, then you’re going to find success.
**When did music come into play for you?**
I’ve been making music for a while now. I always loved it, always wrote down raps when I was a kid. I’d always make raps out of my math problems to try and remember them for tests. I’ve always loved writing and hip-hop. The past 2 years I’ve been in the studio in my house, every single day hustling and it’s paying off. The music I’m making now is finally something I'm super super happy about and super super proud of. I dropped another music video today, people are liking it. I want to be able to make music that either inspires people or people can relate to.
**Talk about shooting the video for “Park South Freestyle.”**
Mike Tyson’s in it. It’s a run-and-gun shoot. I directed it, capturing some fun vibes and good energy. We shot on a little VHS camera, I always love that aesthetic. We actually ended up crashing a Rolls Royce in it. \[laughs\] It’s pretty crazy, everyone has to check it out.
**One thing you want fans to get from this record?**
It embodies an I don’t give a fuck attitude. Whenever you’re feeling like you don’t give a fuck, play that song.
**“Fresh Outta London” is at 20 million views on Youtube video, how is it seeing those numbers?**
It’s dope, people are running the numbers up. That’s the first real hip-hop track I dropped after being in the studio for a while. My songs keep on getting better and better. I'm doing all of it without features, I'm independent. I’m doing all these views and streaming numbers by myself. A lot of these artists have labels, they have features, they have billions of dollars behind their careers. I'm out here in Calabasas by myself sending it. It's cool being able to do numbers, do more numbers than a lot of these other artists.
**What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for the internet?**
Shit, I don't even know. Get fake married. \[laughs\] It was cool for a second. The internet’s too boring. I mean, sometimes right? The internet’s super boring, sometimes it’s poppin’. I like to shake it up a little bit.
**What is it you want fans to get from your story?**
If you told the 12-year-old Jake Paul, “yo you’re going to be living in Los angeles, living your dream with all your best friends, fighting on a Mike Tyson undercard with Lil Wayne performing,” I wouldn’t believe you. I wouldn’t have thought that’s true, I’d think that’s a dream. But I worked hard and went for it, followed my dreams. Anyone can do that too. Even if you’re from a small town like I was, no one else in your city was famous or even successful, you can do it.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
Cough drops, tea, good vibes, Don Julio, and you have got yourself a hit. Yessir.
**Being only 23, goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?**
Man, knockout Conor McGregor. Be the lead in an action movie, get signed to OVO by Drake, just be happy and create great memories with my friends.
**Are you nervous for the fight?**
Nah, I’m excited, I’m excited. I can't wait till that bell rings. I’m like a hungry dog about to be let off the leash.
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