Jake Paul named third-richest boxer in 2020 behind two unified world champions

Jake Paul was one of the top three highest-paid boxers over the last twelve months – with only Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua earning more.

Controversial YouTube star Paul fought twice between June 2020 and May 2021, beating NBA star Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter Ben Askren over a total of six-and-a-half minutes.

But he earned a whopping £14million+ ($20m) from his fights and endorsements outside of the ring, according to sporting finance aggregator Sportico.

The report claims that places him behind Anthony Joshua, who fought once in front of just 1,000 fans against Kubrat Pulev in December.

Both men's income paled in comparison to boxing's biggest earner Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who fought three times against Callum Smith, Avni Yildrim and Billy Joe Saunders over just six months and earned £44.5m.

Reporter Kurt Badenhausen, who compiled the list of sports' 100 biggest earners, noted on Twitter that Paul and Joshua narrowly missed out on the list.

And Paul, who recently signed a multiple-fight deal with Showtime Boxing the US, responded; informing his 3.9m Twitter followers that he was 'just getting warmed up'.

His one-round fight with Ben Askren last month reportedly sold 1.5m pay-per-view buys, putting it at joint 10th on the top boxing PPVs of all time.

And his previous outing against Robinson took place in the co-main event of Mike Tyson's comeback exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr, which ranks at number six.

Paul's other business and cryptocurrency investments likely would earn him a spot on the highest paid athlete list while he also earns ad money from his YouTube channel which has 20m subscribers.

The YouTuber also reportedly still earns from some ex-members of his 'Team 10' social media label, and is a partner at merchandise store 'Fanjoy' who carry merchandise for popular internet stars such as David Dobrik and Broadway actress Coleen Ballinger.

It is expected that Paul will return to the ring later this year, with coach BJ Flores heading out soon to his Puerto Rico base, where brother Logan is currently preparing to face Floyd Mayweather.

Opponents such as Bellator star and Conor McGregor training partner Dillon Danis, as well as UFC legend Vitor Belfort, have been mentioned as possible dance partners for the Ohio native.

And despite UFC boss Dana White's rivalry with the YouTuber, he has been called out by top stars such as former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier and current welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.

However, the Showtime deal appears to place Danis, who has had a long-standing rivalry with the Paul brothers, as the front-runner due to his contract with Bellator MMA, who are also broadcast on the station.

Paul made his professional debut with Matchroom Boxing early in 2020, defeating fellow YouTube star AnEsonGib inside one round live on DAZN on the undercard of Demetrius Andrade's middleweight world title defence against Luke Keeler.

He had one white-collar bout, against YouTuber Deji Olatunji in August 2018, which he won in the fifth round.

His brother Logan fought to a draw with JJ 'KSI' Olatunji in the main event of that card, and it reportedly sold 1.2m PPVs at a special price of £7.50

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