Jake Paul’s night did not get off to a great start as he was forced to watch his newly-signed prospect get viciously knocked out by a man he threatened just days earlier.
During the press conference for Paul’s meeting with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, the YouTuber-turned-boxer found himself in a verbal back-and-forth with undercard fighter Julian Rodriguez. The 23-1 welterweight branded the show’s headliner and promoter no more than a ‘Tik Tokker’ causing the pair to kick off.
But it ended with Rodriguez getting the last laugh as he put Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions signee Avious Griffin almost through the ropes to close out an impressive showing, Griffin had previously gone 17-0 with 16 knockouts, but faltered on his move to the big stage.
- Who is Jake Paul? Get to know the YouTuber-turned-boxing sensation after his record-breaking fight with Mike Tyson
Jake Paul’s new signing gets viciously knocked out
On the undercard of Jake Paul’s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this evening, Avious Griffin was given his chance on the big stage after signing with Most Valuable Promotions. Across the ring from him was Julian Rodriguez, a 23-1 veteran who was confident throughout of causing an upset.
And that he did, frustrating Griffin in the early rounds before turning it on and getting the stoppage with seconds to go. Rodriguez was knocked down in his own right earlier in the night but survived and made it through, winning the later rounds.
Griffin looked to be out on his feet for a couple of rounds before eventually landing a big shot on Rodriguez in the tenth. The opening he left there made it possible for Rodriguez to land an even bigger one which sent him thudding through the ropes.
In a vain effort to defend his 0, Griffin valiantly tried to make it to his feet, but he couldn’t beat the ten count and tasted defeat for the first time in his professional career. It is unclear what will be next for him after a difficult defeat.
Jake Paul threatened teammate’s opponent before grudge fight
During the press conference for the fight on Thursday, Rodriguez mocked Griffin for teaming up with ‘Mr Tik Tok’ Jake Paul. This offended the social media star, who claimed that he might ‘s—- him in the head.’
The pair’s back-and-forth was one of the more exciting parts of the presser, and added to the needle heading into the fight. However, for the early stages of the fight it didn’t seem as though there was bad blood between the two as they struggled to get out of first gear.
Eventually the fight did liven up, and Rodriguez even called out Paul following his win. He is now awaiting his next move, but isn’t opposed to working with Most Valuable Promotions again despite his treatment from Paul, who claimed to not even know his name despite promoting the event.