Jake Paul takes on former Golden Gloves champion in March

Jake Paul will be taking on former Golden Gloves champion Ryan Bourland in the co-main event of the Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke fight card in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 2.  The 8-round bout will take place in the cruiserweight division (200 pounds).  

The YouTube creator turned professional boxer made the announcement on Tuesday.  Paul (8-1) is coming off a first-round knockout win over Andre August in December.  Bourland (17-2) is coming off a fifth-round TKO of Santario Martin in September 2022.  

“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.”

“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.

“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.”

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“Not only is Jake taking on yet another more experienced professional boxer in Ryan Bourland, but he’s also supporting Amanda Serrano as she headlines this historic event at the legendary Coliseo de Puerto Rico, demonstrating his and MVP’s commitment to equality in the sport,” MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement.