Boxer Jake Paul scored an impressive first-round knockout victory over Andre August in a cruiserweight fight on Friday night in Orlando, Florida.
According to Paul, the knockout demonstrated “the next step to world champion.”
Paul landed a clean right uppercut just 28 seconds before the end of the opening round, knocking August off his feet “headfirst” to the canvas.
The referee quickly “waved the bout off” to end the fight by technical knockout.
Jake Paul really waived goodbye Andre August after that vicious knockout 🥶 pic.twitter.com/BhcrDqkzKR
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 16, 2023
“Set up my shot and he went night night,” Paul boasted after the swift victory. The social media star-turned boxer had his brother Logan Paul, current WWE United States champion, alongside him for the fight.
The bout seems to signal a strategic shift for the 26-year-old Paul as he pursues a credible professional boxing career.
His first six fights were more novelty matchups against former mixed martial artists. Paul lost by decision against Tommy Fury, brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in his seventh match last year.
Friday’s Orlando fight provided an opportunity for Paul to gain “seasoning” against a more seasoned veteran boxer rather than chase fame.
Opponent Andre August returned to boxing in August after nearly a four-year break. Despite August’s relative experience, Paul finished him in under one round.
Paul overtly aims to leverage his fame into championship contention.
“Right now, I’m focused on being the best in the world and creating one of the greatest sports stories in the history of sports: being able to become a world champion from Disney Channel,” he stated after his swift win Friday. “Now I’m lasered in.”
