Jake Paul is going to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Here's the info on his USA Boxing partnership
Jake Paul is going to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Not as a competitor, but in a partnership with USA Boxing to chronicle the team's experience at the games and mentor athletes in building their brands.
Most Valuable Promotions, Paul's promotion company, and USA Boxing both announced the news on Tuesday. Paul will follow the amateur boxers as they train at the Olympics facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado and join them in Paris in July. He will post content to his social media channels, which boast more than 66 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Anyone who works hard enough to fight for their country in the most iconic contest has my support," Paul said in a social media post announcing the partnership. "Team USA let’s go!!! See y’all in Paris."
On Friday, Golden Glove champion Morelle McCane and national championship winner Joshua Edwards attended Paul's fight against Andre August. Paul's first-round knockout gave him his first victory over a professional boxer. Both McCane and Edwards have qualified for the Paris games.
In announcing the USA Boxing partnership, Paul explained how he wants to use his platform beyond his own matches.
“It has always been my goal to shine a spotlight not just on boxing as a sport, but on the people who work so hard to be the best within it,” he said in a statement. "The mindset of pursuing greatness is one I both see and personally share with Mo McCane, Joshua Edwards, and the rest of Team USA’s boxing talent. The Olympics are the greatest stage in the world, and I’m honored to help bring awareness to USA Boxing and mentor these young, inspiring athletes as they fight for gold."
Paul has received criticism for storming onto the boxing scene after building a career as a YouTube star. Mike Tyson is among those who have defended the young entrepreneur and said that "he’s going to save boxing."
An American man has not won a gold medal in boxing at the Olympics since Andre Ward captured the prize in 2004. Three men took home silver medals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Team USA has won four medals in the women's division. Claressa Shields won two gold while Marlen Esparza and Oshae Jones each have a bronze. The Olympics started awarding medals for the women's competition in 2012.
Mike McAtee, USA Boxing's executive director, praised Paul for his positive impact on the sport. He said his media expertise will help shed more light on Team USA's athletes, who hope to return to glory.
“Within just three years of becoming a professional boxer, Jake Paul has become a standout inspiration to younger generations and has emerged as one of the most exciting, influential figures in boxing history,” he said in a statement. "Jake's mentorship will be a vital resource to the young athletes on Team USA to ensure they capitalize on building brand IP as they get the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage in the world at the most iconic contest in history - The Olympics. ... There is no one more suited to partner with USA Boxing in this capacity than Jake Paul, the awareness he brings to the sport for the youth is unparalleled and we could not be more thrilled to welcome him and his audience to Team USA.”