Jake Paul’s latest controversy entangles Elon Musk, Julio César Chávez Jr., and Mike Tyson

Since launching a consistent career in boxing, Jake Paul—known for his transition from influencer to professional fighter—has now taken his battle to the courtroom. 

The 28-year-old American has hired prominent attorney Alex Spiro, who has represented high-profile clients such as Elon Musk and Jay-Z, to demonstrate that his matches are legitimate and not scripted.

Jake Paul’s Fight Against Defamation

Paul is preparing legal action against those he claims are damaging his reputation and that of the sport. 

“If someone uses their public platform to harm him and the sport with lies, there will be consequences,” Spiro told the New York Post, signaling Paul’s willingness to take critics and commentators to court when, in his view, they cross the line of free speech.

A Career Marked by Controversy

Since his professional boxing debut in 2020, Jake Paul has generated more headlines for questions surrounding his legitimacy as a boxer than for his actual in-ring performances. 

Holding a record of 12 wins and just one loss, his list of opponents includes notable names like Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Tyron Woodley—all of whom share a common trait: they are former sports icons, some retired or past their physical prime.

This pattern has fueled the theory that Paul selects “convenient” opponents to ensure victory—an allegation British journalist Piers Morgan made openly when he accused the American of staging fights to clearly favor himself.

Paul responded with a threat of legal action, but Morgan stood firm: “The idea that these events don’t harm the integrity of boxing is laughable.” Even Sylvester Stallone briefly joined the chorus of critics, describing Paul’s fight against Mike Tyson on social media as “one of the best Oscar-winning performances of all time.” Stallone later deleted the post and issued an apology.

Recent Victories Under Scrutiny

Paul’s most recent controversy followed his bout against Mike Tyson, which ended in a unanimous decision in Paul’s favor. The issue wasn’t just the outcome but the perception that the fight was more spectacle than sport.

Paul only intensified speculation when he said, “I didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt,” referring to the veteran Tyson. To many, the comment sounded less like a show of respect and more like an admission that the match may have been choreographed.

Adding to the doubts was his prior fight against Julio César Chávez Jr., widely criticized for its lack of intensity and excitement—further reinforcing the narrative that Paul’s events prioritize entertainment over genuine competition.

Legal Action in Sports: Not an Isolated Case

Paul’s legal strategy is not without precedent. In recent years, public figures have taken legal steps to counter accusations they deem defamatory. 

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, for instance, sued commentators Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee over what he called “egregiously false statements,” although he later withdrew the lawsuit.

Now, with Alex Spiro in his legal corner, Jake Paul is throwing a new kind of punch: one through the courts. 

Determined to safeguard both his career and reputation, Paul aims to make it clear that—inside or outside the ring—he won’t remain an easy target for attacks without consequence.