‘The Problem Child’ has drawn criticism from a martial arts film icon.
Jake Paul was in attendance as his fiancée broke a speed skating record en route to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Paul’s year so far has been mostly about supporting Jutta Leerdam, but he still has his own career to look after.
There has already been an update on Paul’s plans for his next fight, and he’s told business partner Nakisa Bidarian to begin negotiations.
As usual, finding someone willing to share the ring with him shouldn’t be much of a challenge for his team.
Valentina Shevchenko urges Jake Paul to accept Jean-Claude Van Damme’s challenge
After Anthony Joshua handed Paul his second professional defeat in December, the British boxer suggested Paul should stay committed to facing top-level opponents.
Before his fight with Joshua, ‘The Problem Child’ had mainly built his reputation by taking on several notable names from the MMA world.
Paul was then called out by a different kind of challenger, one who had a few positive words about his performance against Joshua. This came via an Instagram video where Jean-Claude Van Damme stepped forward.
Known for his roles in 80s and 90s action films, Van Damme also brought a real martial arts background into Hollywood, which contributed to his on-screen authenticity.
The 65-year-old issued a challenge to Paul, proposing a fight where the YouTuber-turned-boxer could choose the venue. Furthermore, the challenger pledged to donate a portion of his earnings to charity.
“K-1 against boxing without low kicks and without elbows. I will not stop until you say yes. What do you have to lose?… I’m a normal guy who just wants to kick your a–, simple as that,” Van Damme said.
The callout drew attention from UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, who backed the idea on social media.
She wrote on X: “The legend and father of western world Thai boxing, Jean Claude Van Damme, will smoke baby Jake Paul and seek revenge for everyone! The old school truly represents the real deal.”
Jean-Claude Van Damme once fell out with a former UFC champion after a gym incident
Back in 2018, Cody Garbrandt was not too pleased with Van Damme after footage surfaced of the actor kicking him during a training session.
Garbrandt spoke about the incident on The MMA Hour, explaining that the Belgian actor had arrived at Team Alpha Male two hours late and then took his time getting ready.
The former bantamweight champion said the gym went silent after he was kicked, and described how Van Damme ended up crying while apologising.
“It was just a circus act, to be honest. I looked over at this buddy and his manager. I was like, ‘You gotta get this guy out of my face’,” Garbrandt said.
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