A tense moment unfolded during a recent press conference when a reporter raised questions about the use of ring girls during an all-female boxing card, sparking a heated exchange with Jake Paul.
The journalist posed a question about the apparent contradiction of featuring ring girls on a card exclusively showcasing female fighters, suggesting it raised concerns about the sexualization of women in boxing.
“I have one last question, and it has to do with the projection of women in boxing, like you guys have invested in women’s boxing,” the reporter began.
He also noted that several people had questioned why the event didn’t feature ring boys or eliminate ring card personnel altogether. “I’ve talked to a couple of people during this week and the issue or the theme about the ring girls in all female fighting cards. A couple of people have said why don’t [you] have boys or none of them at all?”
The reporter emphasized they simply wanted to bring attention to the ongoing conversation surrounding this topic within the boxing community. However, Paul’s response was swift and dismissive.
He said, “Bro, please stop. Please stop talking.” When pressed further, Paul’s irritation became more apparent.
MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian then cut off the line of questioning by saying: “Next question, please. If anyone wants to submit an application to be a ring boy at MVP, send it to that young man.”
The exchange highlighted ongoing debates within combat sports about gender representation and the traditional roles that have long been part of boxing’s presentation. Critics have increasingly questioned whether certain ceremonial elements of boxing events align with efforts to promote women’s participation in the sport.
Paul’s promotion company, MVP, has indeed invested significantly in women’s boxing, featuring several high-profile female fighters on its roster. The recent card showcased multiple championship bouts between elite female competitors, including title defenses and unification matches that drew considerable attention from boxing enthusiasts.
Social media reactions to the press conference moment were predictably divided. Some users praised Paul for shutting down what they perceived as an unnecessary line of questioning, while others suggested the topic deserved more thoughtful consideration given the context of promoting women’s boxing.
