Why is Jake Paul walking out to Hulk Hogan's 'Real American' theme song & donning the WWE legend's iconic yellow & red colours for Anthony Joshua fight?
Jake Paul has announced plans to stage a Hulk Hogan-like entrance when he takes to the ring to tackle two-time heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua this weekend.
The former YouTube sensation turned professional boxer will look to etch his name into boxing history by claiming the scalp of one of the sport's bona fide modern day greats in AJ.
And in looking for inspiration to help spur him on to an unlikely victory, the 28-year-old has turned to former WWE star, the late-great Hulk Hogan - somebody who served as an idol to Paul throughout his childhood.
Posting on his Instagram page on Wednesday, 'The Problem Child' paid homage to his wrestling idol, revealing details of his fight night attire which is made entirely out of alligator skin as well as announcing that he will take to the ring to the Hulkster's iconic 'Real American' anthem.
"Turned a 12ft Gator into my fight outfit in homage to the legendary Hulk Hogan - RIP Brother," Paul posted alongside an image of himself donning the outfit.
The eye-catching jacket, shorts and shoe combination features Hogan’s iconic red-and-yellow color scheme with the jacket even emblazoned with Hogan's trademark nickname “HULKAMANIA” across the front.
"Never done before, I’m making my own boxing shorts out of Alligator I killed," Paul further explained in a short social media video.
A couple of months ago, I went gator hunting then after spotting a 12ft gator. I killed it, then decided I want to turn this into my fight outfit.
- Jake Paul (Instagram)
"We had a team working around the clock to design and craft the perfect outfit for my upcoming fight and this whole fight outfit is in homage to the legend Hulk Hogan."
Paul boasts personal history with the WWE too, having previously appeared alongside brother Logan Paul at the sport's entertainment organisation's Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Despite speculation that Jake was being lined-up to make a permanent switch to professional wrestling in the immediate aftermath of his appearance three years ago, the Ohio native has since opted to pursue a surprise career in boxing.
"I like to challenge myself, I like to fight the biggest, the best, any time, any place, I truly mean that!" he answered when asked as to why he was taking on a showdown which, for many, appears fraught with danger.
"I know what I am capable of and I am here to shock the world.
"I see him and what he is capable of and we are going to go to war. People say I am out of my mind, but I have gotten to where I am today because of delusional optimism.
"So, it's delusion until it's not because of look at where I am today - nobody believed this would be possible when I started people, but I have shocked them, just as I will shock them again on December 19."
Joshua vs Paul headlines a stacked bill in Miami this weekend with the headline bout expected to get underway at around 04:30 (GMT) on Saturday 20th December.
