Jake Paul has emerged as a significant figure, not to be simply dismissed as a joke. His foray into boxing has led to remarkable financial success. After facing Mike Tyson in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night, he reportedly earned $40m. According to Netflix, more than 60 million households worldwide tuned in to witness this highly anticipated mismatch between the 58-year-old Tyson and the 27-year-old Paul.

The Fight and Its Implications

The fight lasted the full eight-round distance, and from the very beginning, it was clear that Tyson would lose. His legs seemed to cling to the canvas, and he resorted to behaviors reminiscent of a child. In contrast, Paul's hands often dropped to his waist. Paul didn't win because he was a great boxer; it was Tyson's advanced age that played a crucial role. This narrative holds similarities to other political and social scenarios.Donald Trump didn't win the presidency because he was an infallible candidate; it was Biden's age that presented an opportunity. Just as Trump has long been the punchline of jokes but has now achieved significant success, Paul has also made a name for himself. In 2017, Paul cultivated the fastest-growing channel on YouTube by simply declaring his intentions and making them a reality.

Paul as the 'Problem Child'

Early in his boxing career, Paul dubbed himself 'The Problem Child'. He embodies the United States having a problem child – an outlandish, insensitive, and careless white man obsessed with causing controversies. In recent years, the term "problematic" has become increasingly prevalent in the American colloquial lexicon to describe the grey area between what is socially acceptable and what isn't. The Problem Child, like president-elect Trump, knows how to walk the fine line between criminality and harmless entertainment.

Rhetorical Parallels with Trump

The rhetorical parallels between Trump and Paul have become explicit. Days before the election, Paul released an 18-minute video endorsing Trump and compared his felony convictions to the founding fathers' struggle for independence. This led to a crowd at the Tyson v Paul fight in Arlington that resembled a Maga rally. After the match, journalist Mariya Moseley noted the large number of Trump hats.In his victory speech, Paul said, "This night is not about me. I wanted to give a thanks to all the real heroes, the US military, the doctors, the nurses in the ER, the cops, the firefighters, the farmers, the truck drivers, all the people that make this world go 'round. Thank you, America. It's the era of truth. It's the era of good. There's a shift in the world and good is rising, the truth is rising." But the question remains: who are the "we" he refers to? Are they the men accused of sexual misconduct? Or are they those who endorse Trump's elusive strand of white supremacy and sexism?

The Future of Paul's Career

On Friday night, as Tyson slumped in his corner between rounds, it became clear that time cannot be reversed. Paul is right; a shift has taken place. His toddler-aged boxing career now faces questions about where it will go. He needs to face opponents his own age rather than faded MMA fighters and fellow YouTubers to be taken seriously. However, regardless of his path, he will continue to popularize behavior that is, well, problematic.Ade Khan, a writer from Bangladesh and a lecturer in creative writing at Columbia University, offers insights into these complex phenomena.