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Jake Paul has once again ignited controversy in the boxing world. The former YouTuber, now a promoter and professional boxer, revealed that he was on the verge of sealing a fight with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, but that outside factors interfered decisively. According to his statements, the deal was practically closed until economic and political interests of great weight in the international boxing scene intervened.
The American claims that Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority and one of the most influential figures in boxing today, allegedly pressured Canelo's team to avoid the fight. According to Paul, the cancellation of a multi-million dollar contract with Riyadh Season was used as a threat, which led the Mexican champion to decline the fight. "They basically told him that if he faced me, he would lose his $300 million contract," he said in an interview with Ariel Helwani.
An agreement thwarted by greater interests
Jake Paul claims that the deal with Canelo was already in the works, with letters of intent and confidentiality agreements signed. However, talks abruptly stalled when, he says, Turki Alalshikh intervened directly. "I understand why Canelo chose to secure his family's livelihood," Paul itted, acknowledging that the Mexican boxer chose to protect his contract with Riyadh Season, which could be worth $400 million for four fights.
Saudi Arabia's strategy has been to attract the big boxing stars with figures never seen before. Canelo has already fulfilled the first of these fights by defeating William Scull, pocketing a sum close to $80 million, and is now preparing to face Terence Crawford in September, a fight for which he could exceed $100 million. For Paul, this reality explains why he could not get into the ring against the Mexican: "That's how desperate they want me out of boxing," he said
Jake Paul defends himself as an organizer of major events
Beyond his role as a boxer, Jake Paul defines himself as one of the great promoters of entertainment in the sport, organizing high-impact events without the need for large investments. "If you're someone who's invested billions and still doesn't put on the biggest events, and you see a guy like me, who doesn't invest anything, producing them... you'll do whatever it takes to stop him," Paul said defiantly.
This conflict not only reveals a war of egos, but also a dispute for control of modern boxing. Paul believes he is being blocked by figures such as Alalshikh, who want to establish themselves as the only major players in the business. "That's the nature of this dirty boxing business," he said, hinting that financial interests are above sporting competition.
With his statements, Jake Paul not only exposed the tension behind the scenes in boxing, but also fueled the debate about the extent to which money and power condition the fights that the public wants to see. He boldly claimed that he would have beaten Canelo: "One hundred percent I would have fought better than Scull, no doubt. I would have beaten Canelo, he's finished."