Jake Paul scored a first-round TKO, battering Ryan Bourland before the referee called the fight at 2:37 Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Paul, 27, improved to 9-1 (with 6 KO’s) while stopping his opponent in the first round in a second consecutive fight.
Bourland, 35, fell to 17-3.
Paul, who predicted a second-round knockout in the cruiserweight fight, was coming off a first-round knockout against Andre August Dec. 15.
Paul came out firing jabs before landing an assortment of blows — body shots, rights and uppercuts — before Bourland found himself kneeling on the canvas with the referee waving off the contest before the end of the round.
Paul landed 24 punches to just three for Bourland, according to the DAZN broadcast team.
Jake Paul calls out Canelo Alvarez
After the fight, Paul called out Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight world champion.
“I’m ready for the big leagues,” Paul said. “I’m getting sharp. This is my life now. Like I said, I’m on the road to world champion, and Canelo, stop ducking. I know you want it. …
“I want Canelo. I want all the biggest names.”
Jake Paul calls himself the face of boxing
Paul called himself “the face of this sport.’’
“Truly,’’ he continued during an in-ring interview on the DAZN broadcast. “Who’s doing more for boxing than me? I keep proving myself time and time again. The most followed boxer. The most viral KO’s, period. And that’s just facts. Nobody can deny that.”
What’s next for Jake Paul?
Paul, who has talked about the possibility of a mixed martial arts bout against the likes of Nate Diaz, said he’s open to a “money fight.’’
“…’cause those are fun,’’ Paul said. “But for now I’m staying on the path to fighting real fighters and increasing the level of opposition.’’
Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland highlights
Jake Paul defeats Ryan Bourland (first round TKO)
Bourland fires first – a jab that misses. Jake countering with his own jabs. Bourland showing no hesitancy. Jake connects with a right hand to the body. But Bourland still moving forward. Jake to the body again. Bourland still coming. Straight into a couple of Jake jabs. Jake lands a big right. Bourland wobbling. Jake winding up, showboating. Just unloading. Bourland trying to survive. Jake landing more big blows. It’s over. Referee calls it off!
FIGHT OVER. Paul wins via TKO at 2:37 of the first round.
Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke fight called off
Amanda Serrano’s fight was called off because of an eye injury, Jake Paul announced in the ring. Serrano, who was set to defend her unified featherweight championship against Nina Meinke sobbed in the ring during the announcement. Paul said the injury was an exposed cornea that could have cost Serrano her vision.
Why was Amanda Serrano fight called off?
Statement from Most Valuable Promotions, which was co-founded by Paul and represents Serrano:
“Amanda Serrano has unfortunately been declared medically unfit by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission to fight tonight due to an eye injury she sustained yesterday. She is devastated that she won’t be able to perform in front of her hometown fans, but despite wanting to go out and put on a show, the Commission said there is no way she can fight with her eye in its current condition.
“The decision equally affects Nina Meinke (who was scheduled to fight Serrano) and MVP will be paying her fight purse in full. MVP and Amanda would like to apologize to everyone in attendance and the company will provide full refunds for all those seeking it. Details to follow on the ticket refund process.
“Amanda is proud of the way her fellow MVP teammates have competed tonight, she appreciates the love and support of her fans, and hopes to return to the ring soon.’’
Jonathan Gonzalez defends WBO junior flyweight title
Jonathan Gonzalez defended his WBO junior flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Rene Santiago.
The bout went the full 12 rounds as Gonzalez made his fourth title defense.
The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 117-111.
‘Euphoria’ actor Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton booed after majority draw
“Euphoria” actor Javon “Wanna” Walton drew loud boos from the crowd at the conclusion of his featherweight fight against Joshua Torres.
The four-round bout ended in a majority draw, and with the crowd expressing its disdain for Walton, the 17-year-old actor who fought conservatively in his second pro fight.
Two judges scored the fight 38-38 and the third judge scored it 39-37, resulting in a majority draw between Walton and 32-year-old Torres.
Restless over a lack of activity in the ring, the crowd was booing by the end of the first round. At one point spectators chanted “Fuera,’’ urging the fighters to exit the ring.
“I personally think I took this one, but the decision is what it is,’’ Walton said, and the boos began to rain down again.
Walton (1-0-1) won his pro debut Dec. 23 with a first-round knockout. But he struggled to land any solid punches against Torres (0-1-2). He said Torres was tougher than he expected.
“And you know, fighting on this stage, there’s some nerves that come with it for sure,’’ he said. “It’s not like anybody can just step up here and fight in front of this many people.’’
The boos built to a crescendo as he said, “It’s a hard thing to do.’’
Walton insisted he’ll continue to pursue a pro boxing career. “Absolutely,’’ he said.
Krystal Rosado defeats Gloria Munguilla
Krystal Rosado, a 21-year-old Puerto Rican, beat 32-year-old Gloria Munguilla in a four-round super flyweight bout by majority decision, 38-38, 40-36, 40-36.
Rosado absorbed several punches but dished out enough punishment to improve to 3-0 (1 KO). Munguilla, who lives in Los Angeles, dropped to 5-1.
Jake Paul arrives in a helicopter
Jake Paul arrived by helicopter, which touched down at about 7:30 p.m. ET outside the venue, Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot. The aircraft bore the letters “MVP,’’ for Most Valuable Promotions, the company Paul co-founded. Inside the arena, the first of five fights on the main card was underway.
What time does Jake Paul fight tonight?
The Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland card will begin at 7 p.m. ET. The fight will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Jake Paul fight live stream
The Paul-Bourland fight can be streamed on DAZN (Watch Now).
Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland fight card
Featherweight: Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke
Featherweight: Pedro Marquez Medina vs. Brandon Valdes
Super Featherweight: Christopher Diaz vs. Headley Scott
Cruiserweight: Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland
Featherweight: Javon Walton vs. Joshua Torres
Light Flyweight: Jonathan Gonzalez vs. Rene Santiago
Junior Bantamweight: Krystal Rosado vs. Gloria Munguilla
Welterweight: Elijah Flores vs. Alejandro Munera
Contributing: Scooby Axson
First appeared on www.usatoday.com