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Opening Odds for Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Boxing

Updated Mar 19, 2021 · 10:00 AM PDT

Internet personality Jake Paul arrives at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
  • Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson is a circus attraction on what’s shaping up to be a curious event
  • Who’s the early favorite between the YouTube pugilist and the former NBA point guard?
  • Check out the opening odds, the backstory, and how the moneyline will move closer to the fight

Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson pits YouTube scrapper against former NBA player. This bout takes place on September 12th at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, as an undercard attraction ahead of Mike Tyson’s return to the ring against Roy Jones Jr.

The entire event will be available on pay-per-view as well as via the social media platform Triller. The three-time Slam Dunk contest winner is donning the gloves and stepping into the ring for the first time, while Paul will be fighting competitively for the second time.

The basketball player turned boxing debutant seems locked in but the online entertainer promises to introduce Robinson to the canvas.

Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson Odds

Fighter Odds
Jake Paul -155
Nate Robinson +125

Odds as of July 24.

Nate Robinson Goes from Basketball to Boxing

News of the bout was broken by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. When Robinson spoke with TMZ about this fight, he had a fair bit to say. Robinson feels that Paul uses “bully” tactics to get weaker opponents to fight. He wants to take on the YouTube star saying, “I want all the smoke. I’m a top tier athlete!”.

The 5’9″ Robinson said he would be looking to train with an elite name in the boxing world. Notable fighters like Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Terence Crawford, and Vasyl Lomachenko were mentioned by Robinson as possible trainers. Robinson certainly has a much higher athletic pedigree than Paul so this boxing debut will be an interesting one.

Jake Paul’s Boxing Resume

Jake Paul is the younger brother of Logan Paul, who had a pair of highly publicized fights with fellow Youtube creator KSI. It was actually thought that Jake would next fight KSI to avenge his brother but this Robinson matchup manifested instead.

Paul has notched victories over fellow YouTubers Deji (in an amateur bout) and AnEsonGib. He stands at 6’1, giving him a four-inch height advantage over Robinson. Paul’s pro debut came in January over the aforementioned AnEsonGib. Paul would win that fight via first-round stoppage. These factors of size, experience, and the highlight reel nature of his last win (albeit against questionable competition) all inform why Paul is the present odds-on favorite.

But expect the odds to move in Robinson’s favor as the fight draws nearer. He is by far the highest level athlete that Paul has ever gotten in the ring with. An eleven-year NBA vet won’t all of a sudden become a top-level boxer in the lead up to this one. But I think he can pick up a couple of tricks and show a level of transferable skill that leads to public backing.  I foresee some pad work or sparring videos coming out on social media whereby Robinson shows his athletic aptitude. The odds will begin to narrow accordingly.

Youth is a factor with Paul being 13 years younger than Robinson. But still, a somewhat athletic 23-year-old YouTuber against a 36-year-old former top-level NBA player? Closer to the fight, this will be seen as a more event contest and the parity will be reflected in the line movement.

That means bettors looking to back Robinson should wager early, while those who favor Paul should wait until closer to fight night.

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