KO | Nate Robinson was knocked down three times
(Picture: USA TODAY Sports)Prominent names in boxing have called on "celebrity" fights to stop after YouTuber Jake Paul brutally knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson.
The pair faced off in Los Angeles as part of the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr undercard, and the bout was stopped shortly into the second round after Robinson was knocked down for a third time, crashing face first into the canvas.
Robinson needed extensive medical attention in the ring and struggled to get to his feet before a chair was brought in for him to sit. He was reportedly taken to hospital soon after.
The fight was sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission, with traditional rules of 10 ounce gloves and no head gear, despite Robinson's reported lack of training.
Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic champions, tweeted: "Nate don't need to be in there with no headgear. You can't play boxing."
Teddy Atlas, a former trainer of Tyson, added: "I don't care about athletes or not, stop allowing guys who don't know how to fight into a ring. Paul has actually trained to fight. Awful. Why have a California commission if they allow this."
Seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano shared the senitment, tweeting: "They need to stop this stupid celebrity boxing thing. Boxing is a serious game. Nothing to be doing for YouTube likes.
"Most amateurs turning pro fight four rounds, these guys are debuting in a six-rounder. Someone's going to get really hurt one day. Not cool at all."
These YouTube celebs making boxing a joke that’s a serious ko because the red gave him every chance to continue for the fans. This is a farce
— Isaac Chamberlain (@IChamberlain_) November 29, 2020
Britain's former world super-flyweight champion Kal Yafai added that is was "scary" that Robinson was licensed to fight progessionally.
And British cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain wrote: "These YouTube celebs are making boxing a joke. That's a serious knockout because the ref gave him every chance to continue for the fans. This is a farce."
Scary thing is Nate Robinson got licensed to fight a pro fight! 🤦🏽♂️
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai) November 29, 2020
IBF super featherweight champion Joseph Diaz tweeted: "Can we stopped with these YouTube fights? [It's] embarrassing and disrespectful to the sport. Boxing isn’t a sport to play with. These guys gonna get hurt."
