People think Jake Paul’s a trash-talking troll who is...

HE is the self-proclaimed Problem Child and bad boy of boxing - but away from the cameras Jake Paul is a TOTALLY different man. The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter might ruffle feathers with his outspoken persona but I've had a behind-the-scenes insight into the man.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul boxing against Mike Tyson.]

It's given me a first-hand view of the REAL Jake – the secret side he’s kept hidden as he embarks on his trash-talking boxing career. Before earning £80MILLION from just 12 fights, Jake shot to fame as a controversial social media influencer and the internet's favourite enemy.

Image Credit: The Sun [Two men sitting on a couch, talking. A city is visible through a large window behind them.]

But that is not the man I've got to know. Admittedly, in our first interview - in May 2021 - he told me he was on track to become a BILLIONAIRE through boxing. And he had no problem bragging about being an evil troll behind his iPhone - rage-baiting fans into buying his pay-per-view fights.

Image Credit: The Sun [Man standing near yellow sports car in front of house.]

Jake has never been far away from controversy. He once drew widespread criticism for publicly calling Conor McGregor's partner, Dee Devlin, a "four out of ten" in one sexist rant. But he later told us that was out of immaturity and wanting to make a name for himself.

Image Credit: The Sun [Man sitting on the grass surrounded by money.]

And he also announced the birth of Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague's baby before the Love Island couple even had the chance to. But, actually being around Jake in the lead up to his bouts - from America to Saudi Arabia - has allowed me to see a wildly contrasting character to that of the online villain.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul's boxing record.]

One that he probably doesn't want the public to see, as it would ruin the bad-guy persona he's spent years honing and made millions from. Jake knows how to control his public image, angering fans enough to pay a hefty PPV fee – in the hope he’ll be on the wrong end of a vicious knockout.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul and Tommy Fury face off at a press conference.]

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. But it's how the 28-year-old acts off-camera which stood out most. Before his February 2023 fight with Fury in Saudi, I was invited to Jake’s hotel suite at the Four Seasons for an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul and Tommy Fury face off at a weigh-in.]

He came in with his entourage of friends, family and team members, greeting everyone with fist bumps. I was taken aback at how calm Jake seemed – reclining comfortably on the sofa just days before his biggest and toughest fight to date. Truthfully, I expected to have to tip-toe through an interview with a prima donna.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul (left) and Tommy Fury boxing.]

But he put me at ease instantly. He remembered my name, asked how I was doing, made small talk with everyone in the room – he was just a normal guy. Then, the second the cameras started rolling and the dictaphone turned on, the OTHER Jake arrived. The former TV actor jumped up, straightened his back and worked his magic.

Image Credit: The Sun [Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague.]

He vowed to prove his critics wrong and knock the professional boxer out. He fired a brutal dig at Tommy over his claims he’d retire if he lost. And he warned Molly-Mae to stay at home – as “nobody wants to see her cry”. As soon as the interview stopped, so did Jake's arrogance and bullish demeanour, as if he could stop the act at the drop of a hat.

Image Credit: The Sun [Two men sitting on a couch during a video interview.]

He even thanked me for MY time. Like many boxers and celebrities, you always see Jake surrounded by a large crew in public. But far from being full of security or hangers-on, Jake’s is made up of life-long friends who keep him grounded as he jets across the world.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam sitting together in a car.]

He remembered my name, asked how I was doing, made small talk with everyone in the room – he was just a normal guy. Then, the second the cameras started rolling and the dictaphone turned on, the OTHER Jake arrived. One new face in the entourage is glamorous Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam, who Jake has been dating since April 2023.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam kissing.]

After a few failed celeb romances - including a fake marriage to Tana Mongeau in 2017 – Jake seems totally loved-up, regularly seen cheering her on in the stands at ice rinks around the world. He is a doting uncle after brother Logan and model fiancee Nina Agdal welcomed his niece Esme into the world in September.

Image Credit: The Sun [Man holding a baby in a large home.]

And the former Disney star - who once only cared about fame and money - is now talking about having kids of his own. The last time I spoke to Jake was in August of last year alongside members of the MMA media - who he is less familiar with. I watched as Jake gave more reserved answers until it got to myself and another journalist who he recognised.

Image Credit: The Sun [Two shirtless men with one holding a baby.]

And then BAM. Gone were the soft-spoken replies and on the front-foot he went - insulting the likes of KSI and Fury, who had just publicly split up with Molly-Mae. He seemed far more comfortable mocking his rivals than he did talking about his charitable side – which the media by then had cottoned on to.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jake Paul with a child at a Boxing Bullies event.]

Jake launched Boxing Bullies in 2021, a foundation encouraging kids to take up the sport. As part of that, he bought and renovated gyms in Puerto Rico - where he now lives - and once even donated his entire fight purse to charity. In January 2020, the night Jake made his pro debut, Puerto Rican women's boxing legend Amanda Serrano was fighting on the undercard for under £5,000.