CM Punk weighs in on the debate surrounding the Paul brothers and their place in boxing history.
YouTuber siblings Jake and Logan have been making controversial careers in the ring since leaving social media for the fighting game.
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Influential pundit Stephen A. Smith called youngest brother Jake a ‘joke’ on Christmas Eve after ousting pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez.
But WWE legend and former UFC star Punk said he was impressed by the brothers’ performance as they captivated the audience.
He told Cageside Seats: “If you’re making money, you’re technically not really doing anything wrong.
“I think everything is entertainment. I think some people combine being an entertainer with being a fighter, but when it makes dollars, it makes sense.
“And what are the Paul brothers doing, I guess, for lack of a better stint, this is old school pro wrestling, right?
“You could say they are crossing, but there are a lot of similarities between the two businesses. They deserve attention.
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“People want to see him get knocked down. They know this, but they are putting themselves out there. They are putting themselves in line.”
Jake recently scored a knockout win over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley after Britain’s Tommy Fury pulled out of his scheduled bout.
Big brother Logan faces the great Floyd Mayweather inside the ropes.
And Punk admitted that he was impressed by the hard work Paul put in — even if they weren’t liked by everyone.
He said: “I would never criticize in a negative way nor criticize anyone who walks, anyone who trains their ass. Because I did it and I know what it takes.
“And you put yourself out there, you put yourself on the line, you know? And many times, a lot of sacrifices go unnoticed. But it is what it is.”
