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| Credit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable Promotions |
Jake Paul delivered a sharp public critique of boxing this week, calling the sport “archaic” while directly addressing Floyd Mayweather Jr. during ongoing talks for a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. The comments came in an interview with Fight Hub TV and quickly spread online. Paul focused on how top-level negotiations often slow down major fights.
His remarks arrive as plans move forward for a September 19, 2026, bout in Las Vegas. The rematch follows their 2015 fight, which Mayweather won by unanimous decision and remains one of boxing’s biggest events. The upcoming fight is set to stream on Netflix.
Jake Paul Calls Out Boxing Culture
Jake Paul used the moment to speak about what he sees as a bigger problem in boxing. He said the sport struggles with professionalism at the highest level.
“The problem with boxing is people in the sport who aren’t professional,” Paul said. “And it makes us all look bad. It’s terrible, and it’s so archaic and old.”
He pointed to the role of teams and decision-makers behind fighters. According to Paul, some of these groups create delays that affect major events. He said the presence of large egos makes it harder to complete deals.
Jake Paul also spoke about how this affects the sport’s image. He said the lack of smooth negotiations hurts both fighters and fans. His comments focused on the structure of boxing and how it operates during fight talks.
Contract Disputes Highlighted in Mayweather Talks
Paul then turned his attention to the details that often come up in negotiations. He listed issues like glove type, ring size, and footwear rules.
“And it all comes down to… it’s down to like, ‘Oh well, ring size and you can’t wear these shoes. And this type of glove. You can’t wear THIS GLOVE,’” Paul said.
He linked these points to the ongoing discussions about the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch. While no official dispute has been confirmed publicly, Paul suggested that such issues are common in big fights.
“It’s just, bro, stop being a bitch. Just fight. That is the problem with [the] sport,” he added. “That’s probably what they are running into: lack in professionalism and IQ.”
The rematch is set to take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas. It will be the first professional boxing event at the venue. The fight also marks more than a decade since their first meeting at the MGM Grand. That 2015 event drew 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and generated record revenue.
Reaction Builds as Rematch Approaches
Paul’s comments have led to mixed reactions across boxing audiences. Some observers pointed to long-standing issues in the sport’s business side. Others noted that similar delays have affected major fights in the past.
The upcoming rematch already carries strong interest due to the history between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Both fighters are now in their late 40s and remain among the most recognized names in boxing. The Netflix broadcast adds another layer by bringing the fight to a global streaming audience without the traditional pay-per-view model.
As of now, Mayweather has not responded publicly to Paul’s remarks. There has also been no official statement linking current negotiations to the issues Paul raised.
Paul, who recently fought Mike Tyson in a Netflix-streamed exhibition, continues to speak about changes he believes boxing needs. His latest comments place attention on how major fights come together behind the scenes.
With the fight date set, attention now remains on whether the rematch will move forward without delay.
- Dogli Wilberforce
