Whindersson Nunes, the Brazilian YouTuber-turned-boxer, has expressed his openness to a potential fight with Jake Paul, but he believes that his preference lies in boxing retired individuals rather than active fighters.
Jake Paul, a YouTube sensation, has made a significant impact in the world of combat sports, but when compared to Whindersson Nunes, his online following seems relatively modest. While Paul boasts 23.5 million Instagram followers and 20.4 million YouTube subscribers, Nunes surpasses those figures with his massive popularity in Brazil, amassing nearly 60 million Instagram followers and over 44 million YouTube subscribers. Nunes had already ventured into the combat sports world before it became a trend among influencers, initially training in mixed martial arts with UFC veteran Lucas Martins to combat depression in the mid-2010s. Subsequently, Nunes discovered that boxing was an ideal outlet for both his physical and mental well-being, prompting him to embrace it more fully.
Nunes had a successful amateur boxing debut in 2019 at a low-profile event in Sao Paulo, where he competed under an alias to avoid unnecessary media attention. He further elevated his profile by participating in a boxing exhibition against former world champion Acelino Freitas in Curitiba. Nunes recently entered the Kingpin’s High Stakes celebrity tournament, triumphing over Filipek in his debut this past April. Now, he is set to face King Kenny in Dublin this Saturday, with the opportunity to secure a place in the finals.
Reflecting on his journey, Nunes acknowledged his growth as a boxer, crediting his Cuban coach Elieser Medina for his progress since the exhibition match against Freitas. In a recent episode of the MMA Hook’s Trocação Franca podcast, Nunes expressed his transformation from being a fighter to adopting a genuine boxer’s style. He noted that the past six months have showcased his significant evolution.
A dedicated boxing enthusiast, Nunes avidly watches every boxing event, ranging from high-profile bouts featuring renowned superstars to smaller shows showcasing relatively unknown boxers. However, he emphasized that boxing in 2024 would require substantial compensation due to the time and effort required for preparation. Nevertheless, a potential matchup with Jake Paul holds the promise of generating considerable interest and revenue.
Comparing physical attributes, Paul outweighs Nunes significantly, weighing in at 183.6 pounds for his recent fight against Tommy Fury. In contrast, Nunes scaled much lower when he faced Filipek in London. Despite the weight discrepancy, Nunes indicated his willingness to take on the larger Paul if they could agree on a suitable middle ground. Nunes playfully teased Paul’s victories over retired MMA veterans, suggesting that facing active professional boxers presents a more formidable challenge.
Currently, Paul is scheduled to fight former UFC contender Nate Diaz on August 5 in Dallas, and Nunes predicts a victory for the YouTuber. Nunes believes that an MMA fighter versus a boxer poses a unique matchup, highlighting the differences in training and skill sets. While boxers primarily focus on footwork and upper-body techniques, MMA fighters train in a variety of disciplines, such as jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, judo, taekwondo, and karate. Nunes expects a competitive bout between Diaz and Paul, considering Diaz’s endurance and Paul’s boxing skills. Furthermore, Nunes anticipates that Paul has evolved since his last defeat, as fighters continuously seek improvement by rectifying their past mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boxing matchups
Who is Whindersson Nunes?
Whindersson Nunes is a Brazilian YouTuber-turned-boxer who gained immense popularity in Brazil. He has a massive following on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
How has Jake Paul performed in boxing?
Jake Paul has shown talent in the boxing ring and has achieved victories over notable opponents such as Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren. He has gained a substantial following on Instagram and YouTube.
What is Whindersson Nunes’ background in combat sports?
Whindersson Nunes initially trained in mixed martial arts (MMA) with UFC veteran Lucas Martins to combat depression. He later transitioned to boxing and found it to be a perfect outlet for healing his body and mind.
Has Whindersson Nunes competed in boxing matches?
Yes, Whindersson Nunes made his amateur boxing debut in 2019 in a small event in Sao Paulo under an alias to avoid media attention. He has also participated in a boxing exhibition against former world champion Acelino Freitas.
What is Whindersson Nunes’ opinion on fighting Jake Paul?
Whindersson Nunes is open to the idea of fighting Jake Paul if the financial offer is right. However, he believes that Jake Paul’s preference for boxing retired fighters differs from his own, as Nunes aims to compete against active professional boxers.
Who does Whindersson Nunes favor in the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz?
Whindersson Nunes favors Jake Paul to win in the matchup against Nate Diaz. He acknowledges the differences in training and skill sets between boxers and MMA fighters, but believes Jake Paul’s boxing skills give him an advantage in the fight.
More about Boxing matchups
- Whindersson Nunes on Instagram: Instagram
- Jake Paul on Instagram: Instagram
- Whindersson Nunes on YouTube: YouTube
- Jake Paul on YouTube: YouTube
- Anderson Silva on Tapology: Tapology
- Tyron Woodley on Tapology: Tapology
- Ben Askren on Tapology: Tapology
- Lucas Martins on Instagram: Instagram
- Acelino Freitas on BoxRec: BoxRec
- Kingpin’s High Stakes tournament: Website
- Nate Diaz on Tapology: Tapology
- MMA Hook’s Trocação Franca podcast: Podcast
