Jake Paul knocked out a “real boxer” for the first time Friday night in nine professional fights.
The polarizing Paul dropped unknown underdog Andre August with a right uppercut late in the first round of the main event of a card DAZN streamed from Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida. August reached his feet, but referee Christopher Young wisely ended their fight at 2:32 of the first round.
Paul improved to 8-1 and recorded his fifth knockout in what was scheduled as an eight-round cruiserweight contest.
The Westlake, Ohio native also won a second straight bout since England’s Tommy Fury defeated him by split decision in their grudge match February 26 at Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Houston’s August, 35, entered the ring on a five-fight winning streak. August (10-2-1, 5 KOs) was knocked out for the second time as a pro, however, as his first defeat came by second-round technical knockout against Eric Abraham (then 3-3) at Arabia Shrine Center in Houston.
Paul was very loose as he walked to the ring with Christmas music blaring throughout the venue. He fought accordingly against an unproven opponent.
A right uppercut by Paul knocked August flat on his back with 39 seconds to go in the first round. August got up in time to beat Young’s count, but he stumbled into the ropes and Young quickly waved an end to the bout.
August caught Paul with a right hand to the side of his head just after the midway mark of the first round. Paul hit August with a right to the body barely a minute into the opening round.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.