Jake Paul Picks Non-Celebrity Boxer Opponent

Jake Paul’s return to the boxing ring in December won’t have a celebrity boxer across from him but, rather, an underwhelming actual boxer. This, as the opponent, little known Andre August, was announced Wednesday morning for Paul’s latest fight- a Most Valuable Promotions/DAZN main event for December 15th in Orlando, FL.

From the (MVP) release:

“Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced international superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (7-1, 4 KOs) will face professional boxer Andre August (10-1-1 5 KOs) in his highly-anticipated return to the ring as he continues his path to becoming a world champion on Friday, December 15 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. Paul vs. August, an eight-round cruiserweight fight, will headline MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects IV, presented by Celsius Essential Energy Drink, and is poised to be one of the biggest boxing events in Orlando’s history. August has the most experience and KOs of any opponent Paul has faced in his career.

Despite shattering records by selling more pay-per-views in his first eight fights than any other boxer ever, Paul vs. August will be offered as part of the DAZN subscription package to ensure it is affordable and accessible to fans worldwide as August is introduced to the masses. Digital sports, entertainment, and gaming company DraftKings will serve as the event’s Official Sports Betting Partner. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, November 9 at 1:00pm ET on Ticketmaster.com.

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“I’m a professional boxer and I want to be world champion, so I need to pursue the path towards greatness against people who have been boxing their whole life,” said Jake Paul. “So far, my entire boxing career has been on pay-per-view, but now it’s about more than business. Now I want to build my experience in the ring against seasoned fighters. I’m coming to prove my greatness on Friday, December 15th live on DAZN for the world to see.”

Hailing from the streets of Beaumont, Texas, Andre August has emerged from the trenches to one of the biggest stages in boxing. Growing up, August found himself drawn into street fighting due to his involvement with gang activity following the passing of his mother during his sophomore year of high school. Fueled by an unyielding fire and a growing passion to do more, he made a defining choice to pursue boxing.

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At 10-1-1 with five KO’s, August has proven his tenacity and power in the ring. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over the undefeated 7-0 Brandon Martin and currently riding a five-fight winning streak, August will provide Jake Paul his toughest test in the ring to date.

“I don’t talk very much. I’m all about that action! Jake Paul has the money, the fame, the team and the resources but he doesn’t have my hunger,” said Andre August. “When that bell rings, I am going to go straight to Jake Paul and ring his bell and send him back to YouTube for good.”

Interesting opponent choice

As referenced above, Paul’s first fight with a boxer was his February decision loss in Saudi Arabia to Tommy Fury,the brother of WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury. The PPV bout was far from a classic, but Fury was more skilled and resilient than any of Paul’s previous opponents, which have been a mixed bag of celebrities, athletes and MMA fighters.

Paul rebounded from the loss to fury and decisioned former UFC champ Nate Diaz in an August PPV in Dallas, TX. There had been some discussion about the two rematching in a mixed martial arts bout in Paul’s newly formed “Professional Fighter’s League,” but that’s on hold for now.

Also confirmed for the undercard, women’s contender Shadasia Green will take on Franchón Crews-Dezurn for the WBC super middleweight title.

Paul vs. August on Friday, December 15 will headline MVP’s “Most Valuable Prospects IV,” which is featuring top talent within Paul’s promotion. MVP says they announce additional bouts coming soon. These fights are taking place at Central Florida’s Caribe Royale Orlando, where undisputed featherweight champion and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano, 45-2-1, 30 KOs, just defeated WBO challenger Danila Ramos in a historic 12-round, three-minute rounds unified featherweight title bout back in late October.