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JAKE PAUL apologised to fans after knocking out Ryan Bourland in the first round… before calling out Canelo Alvarez. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter made his return to the ring on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s Puerto Rico homecoming. Jake Paul knocked out Ryan Bourland in round oneCredit: GettyJake Paul punches Bourland to the floorCredit: GettyThe YouTube star improves to 9-1Credit: ReutersHe came into the bout off a first round KO of Andre August in December, the first professional boxer he defeated on his record. Bourland with a 17-2 record looked on paper to be the toughest test of Paul’s career but in reality it was another write off. Paul, 27, wasted no time in going after it from the first bell and following an onslaught in the corner, Bourland, 35, dropped to the floor before the referee stepped in. The American social media sensation was heard apologising to the camera after the two-minute whitewash. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd he said in the ring afterwards: “I wanted it to be a little longer to give the fans some more time.” Paul improved his record to 9-1 with Tommy Fury, 24, the only man to defeat him following a split-decision in Saudi Arabia last year. And he sensationally called out four-division champion Canelo, 33, to renew one of boxing’s fiercest rivalries after Bourland failed to challenge him. Paul said: “I mean, he was supposed to give it to me, right?Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”This guy has 19 fights, he’s super experienced so I guess we’ve just got to step it up even way more.”But I’m ready, I’m ready for the big leagues. I’m getting sharp, this is my life now and like I said, I’m on the road to world champion and hey Canelo, stop ducking.Amanda Serrano left in tears after emotionally pulling out of fight just minutes beforehand with freak eye injury”I know you want it, I know you want it and I’m repping Puerto Rico, you’re repping Mexico so it’s Puerto Rico vs Mexico.” Paul looks set for a quick turnaround with a summer return and claimed he is the new top dog of the sport. He said: “I want Canelo, I want all the biggest names. Like I said, I’m the face of this sport. Truly. Who’s doing more for boxing than me?”I keep on proving myself, time and time again, the most followed boxer, the most viral KOs period and that’s just facts, no one can deny that.”I’m here to stay, I’m a staple in this game and man, I really want all the smoke so whoever is out there, let’s get it popping.”Paul was due to act as a co-headliner to Puerto Rican icon Serrano. But the women’s boxing pioneer was dramatically forced to pull out just moments before her fight with Nina Meinke. Fans were assured they would receive a full refund as Serrano emotionally addressed the fans in floods of tears, consoled by Paul.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt then emerged she had to pull out due to injury caused by a chemical used on her hair getting in her eyes when she got it done on Thursday.Jake Paul celebrates his stoppage victoryCredit: GettyAmanda Serrano was in tears after pulling out of her fightCredit: Getty More

BOXING legend Amanda Serrano went a decade and a half flying under the radar – until Jake Paul put her on the map. Serrano was already a world champion in seven different divisions by the time she first met Paul in 2020. Amanda Serrano is a seven-weight boxing championCredit: PAJake Paul signed Serrano in 2021The YouTuber-turned boxer made his professional debut – beating online rival AnEsonGib in one round – on the same card as Serrano. And he was left stunned at the tiny paydays the Puerto Rican icon was making despite her accomplishments in the ring. In fact, even Serrano admits her nephews cared little about her career or boxing in general – until Paul and his brother Logan came along. Serrano, 35, told SunSport: “I used to hear his blogs going on in the room or his ‘Everyday Bro’ and I’m like, ‘Who is Everyday Bro?’ READ MORE IN BOXING“So I started watching the YouTube videos as well and that’s how I knew about Jake and Logan. “And when they told me he was going to fight, I tuned in I thought that was cool, let’s see how this goes.” Serrano in 2021 became the first fighter signed to Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. And along with business partner Nakisa Bidarian, they made the female fighting pioneer a millionaire and household boxing name. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSerrano said: “I’ve been in boxing going on 15 years and it took a young man like Jake Paul from a whole different avenue of entertainment to put a spotlight on me. “I struggled, by the time Jake signed me I was seven-division world champion, I was already an established fighter. EXCLUSIVE: Amanda Serrano urges women’s boxing stars to ‘fight for what they believe in’ with major rule change“But today I’m the highest-paid female fighter, selling out arenas, followed by many, many people and I’m just super honoured to be part of MVP, Jake Paul, Nakisa, who really changed my career.” Serrano in April 2022 lost a Fight of The Year contender with Ireland’s Katie Taylor in the famed Madison Square Garden in New York. She has since bounced back with four wins and claimed the undisputed crown at featherweight. But one of her biggest bouts has come outside the ring and that is the fight for equality. Serrano – who headlines on Saturday against Nina Meinke – has called on boxing chiefs to allow her to box 12 rounds of three minutes – as men do. Her last two opponents have agreed to step up from the usual ten rounds of two minutes and Serrano hopes more will do the same. READ MORE SUN STORIESShe said: “So far I’ve had two that took the fight with no problem and there’s many out there that are willing to do it and want to do it. “I’m hoping they can follow in my footsteps and put their footsteps and fight for what they believe in and make that choice.”Jake Paul with Serrano and opponent Nina MeinkeCredit: EPA More