Promoter Eddie Hearn is going back to the YouTube well.
The Mathrooom Boxing head is close to finalizing a deal between content creators-turned-boxers Jake Paul and Ali Eson Gib (AnEsonGib) for Jan. 30 in Miami, Hearn told BoxingScene.com.
The bout will be a professional one and scheduled for six rounds.
The fight is also being considered for co-main event billing on the DAZN show headlined by Demetirus Andrade and Luke Keeler. The chief support spot would supplant the Tevin Farmer versus Joseph Diaz fight for Farmer’s IBF super featherweight crown.
Hearn also recently promoted Paul’s brother Logan Paul, who made his pro debut Nov. 9 in a disputed decision loss to KSI.
Immediately after the fight, a disgusted Jake said boxing is rigged and people are paid off. He even questioned DAZN’s North American vice president Joe Markowski's integrity for hosting KSI at a Lakers game the night before his brother’s bout.
Paul sentiment toward sanctioned pugilism apparently won't stop him from making his pro debut on DAZN as soon as the ink hits the contract.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com and currently does TV commentary for combat sports programming that airs on Fox Sports and hosts his own radio show in Los Angeles. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.