Jake Paul: Fact That People Think I Had No Knockout Clauses, They’re Idiots

TAMPA – Claims of a ‘no knockout’ clause inserted into the contracts of his opponents could have been met with a shrug by Jake Paul.

Instead, the self-made multimillionaire decided to put his money where his mouth is.

“I guess my career has become about shutting people the fuck up,” Paul told reporters ahead of his upcoming boxing rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. “This is just another version of that. Up the ante, prove there’s no knockout clause.

“The fact that people think that, they’re idiots. I’m willing to put money on it.”

Paul (4-0, 3KOs) takes a risk heading into his sequel with Woodley, putting up a $500,000 knockout bonus for the only opponent to significantly hurt him in a pro fight. Woodley (0-1 as a boxer) had Paul hurt to the point of the ropes preventing his fall during the fourth round of their first bout this past August 29 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. Paul survived the sequence and would go on to claim a split decision win, his first time going the distance or even past the second round.

From there came the ridiculous claims that Paul’s fights are rigged and that his opponents are legally bound to not finish him in the event they have him hurt. The 24-year-old content creator-turned-cruiserweight prospect from the greater Cleveland area initially laughed at the ridiculousness of such rumors but opted to shut it down through his actions instead of his mouth.

Woodley now has the chance to supplement his income in a big way if he can close the show this time around. Paul doesn’t seem concerned over the thought of providing Woodley with the incentive in place for Saturday’s scheduled eight-round rematch; in fact, he feels it will open the door to resume his own knockout ways.

“Absolutely not,” Paul dismissed of feeling any pressure to not allow Woodley the opportunity to collect the bonus. “If you go to the recreational center and you play basketball with some guy. He beats you 7 points to 1. You go back there the next Thursday and want to play that guy one on one again. Just because he pays you to try to beat you, doesn’t mean you can.  I’m not nervous at all. If anything I’m gonna use it to my advantage.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox