Entain reports unprecedented betting boom for Jake Paul

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is redefining sports entertainment

• Unprecedented level of support for Paul ahead of upcoming Joshua bout
• Bets on Paul have increased by 240% since his early fights
• Paul has featured in three of the top 10 most bet-on boxing matches in Entain history
• Entain credits crossover bouts and Netflix Effect for boxing surge

Can Jake Paul beat Joshua? Bettors certainly think so.

Entain, the global sports betting and gaming group, predicts that the upcoming clash between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua could go down as one of the biggest moments in boxing history, if Paul pulls off the win.

“This is shaping up to be one of the biggest betting events ever,” says Alan Vye, Entain’s Head of Global Sports. “Never underestimate US punters, they’ll be backing Paul in big numbers. He’s a big price, while former Olympic Champion Joshua enters as a heavy favourite. It’s one of the most lopsided boxing fights in recent memory, but Paul’s attracting huge backing from both sides of the Atlantic.”

“The odds aren’t actually unusual for a heavyweight bout,” explains Adam Williamson, Head of Boxing at Entain. “Andy Ruiz Jr was a 9/1 shot when he beat Joshua, and memories of Joshua’s surprise knockout loss to Dubois at 7/2 are still fresh. What’s different this time is the unprecedented level of support we expect for Paul – thanks to his celebrity stature, price point and Netflix exposure.”

This surge in interest around the upcoming fight reflects boxing’s evolution in recent years, with crossover bouts, celebrity matchups and the Netflix Effect attracting new audiences to the sport. It’s undeniable that this shift has been spearheaded by Paul - bets on the YouTuber-turned-boxer have increased by 240% since his first boxing fight against YouTuber KSI's brother, Deji Olatunji, to his latest against Julio César Chávez Jr.

Netflix reported that a record 60 million households worldwide tuned in live for Paul’s previous fight against Mike Tyson, which was free for subscribers. That fight became the most bet-on boxing match in history, according to Entain’s global sportsbook. Paul has now featured in three of the top 10 most bet-on boxing matches for Entain.

“Boxing is no longer just about traditional matchups,” adds Vye. “These personality-driven contests are bringing in fans who might never have bet on boxing before, and that’s transforming the market.”

With global brands like BetMGM in the US and Ladbrokes and Coral in the UK, Entain is uniquely positioned to capture the excitement on both sides of the Atlantic. The company anticipates record-breaking volumes across its sportsbook as fans gear up for what promises to be a historic showdown.

Top 10 boxing fights – Entain’s digital sportsbook