YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will finish 2020 with a pristine 2-0 record and a pair of knockout wins over fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson.

Boxing’s improbable new fighter Paul has been drawing comparisons of late to Eric “Butterbean” Esch, who made a solid name and career for himself as “The King Of The Four Rounders” when he was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank in the 90s on Oscar De La Hoya’s cards.

Paul, however, doesn’t want any part of being compared to the portly pugilist, especially after his devastating second-round KO of Robinson as the co-feature to the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition.

“They can go f--k off,” Paul said to those who think he is a new sideshow like Butterbean. "I stole the [Tyson vs. Jones] show.”

Paul is persistent that he’s pursuing a full-time career in boxing, and he wants people to give his deserved credit.

“I understand why people don't want to respect me yet,” said Paul. "I'm putting the work in. I've had two flawless victories. I've dedicated my entire life to this. I have an $8 million mansion in Calabasas that I wasn’t staying at for six months because I've been in Las Vegas training twice a day, pouring my heart and soul into this. If people don't respect that, I don't know what they will respect. It's an uphill battle for Jake Paul. It always has been. I fought for everything my entire life.

“I've forfeited so many [lucrative] opportunities for this sport ... all because I want to box. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I've already made a lot of money. Now I want to die a legend.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on