Jake Paul stops Ryan Bourland via first-round TKO،
Critics of Jake Paul wanted him to fight real boxers. He has now knocked out two in a row in the first round.
The YouTuber turned fighter stopped Ryan Bourland via TKO at 2:37 of the first Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Paul used a nice jab early and hard right hands to the body. This set up a big combination that hurt Bourland against the ropes. Paul then poured it on until referee Luis Pabon stopped the fight.
Paul, who lives and trains in Puerto Rico, had the crowd with him. His adopted nickname is “El Gallo de Dorado”, and he came out dressed as a rooster. The fans chanted “Gallo” during the entry and the first round.
“I wanted it to be a little longer to give the fans more time,” Paul said in his post-fight interview. “I'm so happy to be in Puerto Rico. You're all showing so much love.”
Paul was coming off a first-round knockout over Andre August – a similar but less experienced journeyman opponent to Bourland – in December.
Paul defeated Bourland 24-3.
“I guess we just have to step it up even more,” Paul said. “I'm ready for the big leagues. I'm getting sharp. This is my life now.”
When asked who he wanted to fight next, Paul said he didn't want to mention any names. But he offered one: Canelo Alvarez.
“Hey, Canelo, stop dodging,” Paul says. “I know you want it. I represent Puerto Rico; you represent Mexico. So it's Puerto Rico versus Mexico.”
Paul (9-1, 6 KO) made it three wins in a row after his first career loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. The Ohio native bounced back from that loss by defeating UFC legend Nate Diaz in August by unanimous decision. Paul, 27, also boasts victories over former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley. (Paul actually beat Woodley twice, once by knockout.)
Bourland (17-3), a 35-year-old California native, ended a three-fight winning streak.
Since the Diaz fight, Paul has moved toward a more traditional boxing trajectory in terms of opponents who will give him experience with an eye toward one day competing for a title.
“If a fight over money comes up, I’ll take it, because it’s fun,” Paul said. “For now, I stay on the path of fighting real fighters and raising the level of competition.”
