Evander Kane; San Jose Sharks forward and amateur boxer?
Not 24 hours after defeating three-time NBA slam-dunking champion Nate Robinson in a charity boxing match that will live on forever as an internet meme, it looks like ex-Disney Channel star Jake Paul already has a new challenger on deck: San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane.
That’s right, though most know Paul for his vlogging antics – ranging from doxing Post Malone to leading a social media influencer incubator and even denying the existence of COVID-19 – he’s also found a second career moonlighting as a boxer with a surprising amount of success – having won both of his official fights by knockout.
Not too bad for “The Problem Child”.
However, one person who doesn’t seem all too impressed is by Paul’s most recent outing Kane. Via his Twitter, he mocked Paul’s inexperience while expressed a desire to meet him in the ring for an easy match. He even set a date for the hypothetical fight.
yo @jakepaul I’d wreck ya. Easy to beat up guys with no experience and much smaller. August 31st 2021 Vegas we can see if you really about that action. #YOURMOVE
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) November 29, 2020
Your move indeed, Jake Paul.
Should this fight actually happen, it should prove to be a far more difficult challenge for Paul than his previous fights against a fellow Youtuber and a basketball star. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Kane not only has a size advantage but also has plenty of experience with taking and receiving hits. In his 390 games of NHL action, Kane has recorded 860 hits, showing that he isn’t afraid to get physical while playing in front of a crowd. He’s also led the league in penalty minutes in each of the past two seasons, something his coaches probably aren’t particularly proud of, but is noteworthy nonetheless.
Sure, Paul has him beat in terms of social media followers, but Kane seems to have a lot more going for him in terms of physicality. As long as Kane finds the time to develop solid technique over the next year, this should be a victory for him and for Sharks fans the world over.
A few days ago, I rhetorically pondered why Kane isn’t a bigger star in the NHL. While duking it out with an E-Celebrity in Vegas may seem kind of like a distraction to his main career, this would certainly be the kind of even that elevates his platform considerably both off the ice and on it. As highlighted by Robinson’s fight with Paul, an event of this caliber can really get people talking, and perhaps even open the door to more opportunities off the ice.
Regardless, here’s hoping for a bright future for Evander Kane and the San Jose Sharks this season, and if there is a fight next summer, let’s at least hope it’s for a good cause.
UPDATE: In a weird twist of fate, Kane and Jake’s brother Logan now appear to be building towards a boxing match of their own. My goodness, this might actually happen.