Jake Paul. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

YouTube star Jake Paul signs top boxing prospect

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 4/18/22

YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul isn't just snagging the spotlight in the ring. He's expanding it to shine on other talents as well, as he proved on Monday with the announcement he's adding a top-tier prospect to his Most Valuable Promotions.

MVP has added 18-year-old Ashton Sylve, Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian of Bavafa Sports told ESPN. Sylve, out of Long Beach, California, is undefeated with a 7-0 record along with seven knockouts as a pro.

"He kind of checks a lot of boxes that you would want in terms of the next big star in boxing," Bidarian said. "And just spending time with him and his family, it was clear that there was a natural affinity to each other."

Paul added: "We believe Ashton has that talent, that flashiness, that style, that knockout power, that charisma to really be a massive, massive superstar and one of the next highest-paid boxers in the game in a very small and short amount of time."

Sylve told ESPN there were other big-name promotors interested in him, such as Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions, and that it took time to find the right landing place.

"It took me two years, going through all those promotions, to kind of figure out where I'm wanted and where I fit in," Sylve said.

"I just felt like it was great synergy over there with Jake. I felt like we're gonna do big things, the marketing genius that he is, he and Nakisa. I've been watching them since he started boxing and seeing everything that's been growing up and waiting to become, I kind of felt myself the need to be there and be part of the team."

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