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Jake Paul previously announced he would be returning to the boxing on March 2 at El Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.
And now, we know his opponent.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the YouTuber-turned-boxer will face former Golden Gloves boxing champion Ryan Bourland. While Bourland is not a household name, the 35-year-old boasts a professional boxing record of 17-2 with six knockouts.
The 8-round cruiserweight bout will be the co-main event alongside Puerto Rico’s own Amanda Serrano, who faces Nina Meinke, for the unified featherweight championship.
“Jake Paul steps into the ring with his social media clout, but let’s not mistake followers for experience or skill,” Bourland said in a statement. “While he’s been busy chasing likes, I’ve been honing my craft for years, stepping into the ring and beating real boxers. On Saturday, March 2, I will shock the world and put an end to Jake Paul’s boxing career.”
The goal is simple, build the skillset to become world champion. Next up is a guy who has twice as many professional fights under his belt than I do. Ryan “The Rhino” Bourland. And just like the animal in his bone chilling nickname… he is also endangered😂😅
On Saturday, March… pic.twitter.com/CzhHTx9tsC
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 30, 2024
Bourland is the second straight former Golden Gloves boxing champ to enter the ring against Paul. Paul scored a viral first-round knockout of three-time Golden Glove winner Andre August in his last appearance to advance to 8-1.
Paul will be donating his entire fight purse to Boxing Bullies, his nonprofit organization, to help renovate gyms across Puerto Rico.
“I’ve always said my goal is to become a world champion,” Paul said in a statement. “I beat a pro boxer in December in the first round, someone who’s been boxing their entire life, and what did I do next? I went straight back to camp to get ready to face my next opponent, a professional boxer who has twice as many professional fights under his belt than I do. It’s a new year, it’s an even better me, and I’m facing an even more experienced, seasoned boxer on Saturday, March 2 as co-main to the Puerto Rican GOAT, Amanda Serrano.
👋
Jake Paul kept his promise to the fans and got the first round knockout. Waving goodnight to the dazed Andre August#PaulAugust pic.twitter.com/ivW4dZUrWz
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 16, 2023
“I’m fighting for experience, not for the money, and to show my love for this beautiful island I’ll be donating my entire fight purse from this event to my nonprofit Boxing Bullies to help renovate gyms across Puerto Rico.”
Euphoria star Wanna Walton will also appear on the card to make his global debut.
The event is being promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will be distributed by DAZN.
