Jake Paul eyes Olympic gold as he sets boxing retirement date

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has faced several high-profile opponents, including former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva, professional boxer Tommy Fury and heavyweight legend Mike Tyson.

His massive social media following helped Paul headline significant boxing events, generating substantial revenue. CBS News reported that he earned approximately $40 million from his fight with Tyson — double what the boxing icon received.

At 28, Paul remains in the early stages of his professional career. He boasts a record of 11 wins and just one loss, a split-decision defeat to Fury in February 2023. Despite his influencer background, he has repeatedly insisted on his commitment to boxing and expressed ambitions of becoming a world champion.

However, in a recent interview with Ring Champs, Paul revealed another goal: competing for Olympic gold at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, which he suggested could mark the end of his boxing career.

"I'm going to try and figure out how to fight in the 2028 Olympics and win gold, and then I think I'll retire," Paul said.

When asked about his potential weight class, he responded: "It's in kilograms, so 80 to 90-something. The one under heavyweight."

Sitting alongside his adviser, Nakisa Bidarian, his co-founder at Most Valuable Promotions, Paul outlined a five-to-seven-year window in which he aims to secure major fights, chase a world title and potentially achieve Olympic success.

Bidarian defended Paul’s unconventional rise in boxing, arguing that, unlike many traditional fighters who build padded records against low-risk opponents, his fighter has consistently tested himself against experienced combat sports athletes.

Paul has also set his sights on a fight with boxing superstar Canelo Álvarez, boldly claiming he would defeat the Mexican champion by split decision. He asserted that he could overcome Gervonta Davis, Artur Beterbiev, Ryan Garcia, Andre Ward and Julio César Chávez Jr. while admitting that he would only lose to Roy Jones Jr. This remark surprised the interview hosts.

A potential showdown with KSI, who defeated Paul's brother Logan in 2019, remains possible. Paul has repeatedly claimed he would beat the British YouTuber-turned-boxer if the two met in the ring.

As Paul continues to blur the lines between entertainment and professional boxing, his ambitious goals — world titles, Olympic gold and potential blockbuster fights — underscore his determination to leave a lasting mark on the sport.