Welcome to another Thursday edition of Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack, the only boxing mail bag column not funded by a boxing promoter or a murderous monarchy. This week, we have comments and/or questions regarding Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, and the David Benavidez-David Morrell clash.
Jake Paul, David vs. David
Hey Paul,
Good stuff with the Notes this week.
They can say what they want about Jake Paul, but at least his events pique interest from casuals, and some die-hards. That's more than I can say for boxing as of late. For boxers nowadays the fighting is mostly done on social media. I'm not a fan of Jake Paul, but at least you know what you are getting with his events. I tune in, in hopes that he get KTFO! And until he does, I'll probably continue to keep watching. It's not like there are many upcoming fights that you mark on calendar as can't miss.
David vs. David
I like this one, if it comes off. A win by either should elevate their status. Leaning towards DB at the moment. This has the potential for a rematch, unless one or the other gets starched.
Regards.
– Reggie Cannon
Hey Reggie.
Like I wrote in this week’s Notes from the Boxing Underground, boxing business people could learn a thing or two from Jake Paul and they should be picking out the good from the bad instead of just clutching their pearls and slamming Paul. At the base of everything is the fact that boxing should be entertainment and the sport has not done a great job of understanding how to reach (and keep) younger fans. Paul brings an energy to these shows that boxing people seems utterly clueless in replicating. But they need to get with the program and start looking outside the box because entertainment options are all over the place and the world is just passing them by.
Benavidez vs. Morrell is tremendously awesome. It’s the kind of fight this sport needs. It’s just a shame that it’ll be stuck behind a pay-per-view paywall, thereby guaranteeing that only the already-sold fans will be watching. These guys deserve a platform where they can reach and convert new fans.
BTW, I also lean towards Benavidez.
Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano
Hi, Magno.
As always, wishing you and your family the best.
I love my girl, Amanda, but if she wants to defeat Taylor convincingly and officially, she has to bob and weave when going forward or protect her face with her guard. She has been giving Taylor hell in both fights by going forward overpowering her, just one plan. While it has been effective enough to lose controversially, she has to improve in a trilogy if it ever happens. She punches and kind of waits for the receipt.
As for the Jake Paul successful formula in boxing, as you have written before, promoters must wake up. People tune in, by the millions, when a charismatic fighter (you might think I’m referring to Jake Paul, but it can also be someone like Tyson, appealing to the nostalgic fans who responded to his past charisma in the ring) is showcased, that along with a Wrestlemania build-up and you have a very successful event. Yes, almost everyone has Netfllix and if you didn't, a 6.99 ad supported subscription would have been enough, but Jake has also sold millions of PPVs fighting overmatched over the hill opponents. So, mix a charismatic fighter, WWE build-up and a decent price tag, millions will tune in.
Something tells me a Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr could be on the horizon via PPV. that's where we're at right now. This is filling the void until the next Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, ODLH, or Mayweather.
– Benjamin from Puerto Rico
Hey Benjamin.
You’re spot on when it comes to Serrano, although I think this Taylor fight should’ve been a clear points victory.
As for Jake Paul? He’s not taking anything away from anyone and he’s not taking up a spot that would go to a better “real” boxer. If he weren’t around, there’d just be an empty spot and, consequently, Amanda Serrano (and others) wouldn’t be getting the exposure they’re getting. So, boxing “purists” need to get over themselves. They need to ask the sport’s power brokers why they can’t generate a mainstream-viable fighter rather than picking at a guy merely exploiting the void boxing has created by continually mishandling their business.
Jake Paul vs. Boxing
Hey Paul.
It’s telling that so many real boxers are calling Jake Paul out or tied to rumored fights with him. There’s Daniel Dubois, Artur Beterbiev, and Ryan Garcia who have called him out directly. Then there’s talked about fights with Canelo and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. How do you think Jake Paul fares against any of these names?
– Les
Hey Les.
Dubois and Beterbiev would murder Jake Paul, and so would Canelo. Even Garcia, despite having to put on (or give away) at least 40 pounds to make the fight, should be heavily favored. Chavez Jr., though, is so degraded and diminished that he could end up losing. Jake Paul is better than some people give him credit for, but he’s still, IMO, a club-level fighter in terms of skill, ability, and experience.
Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.