Eagle-eyed watch experts claim that Paul’s super-expensive Richard Mille timepiece is not the real deal.
Before Jake Paul brutally knocked out former UFC champ Tyron Woodley, the social media star-turned-boxer may have taken a giant “L” in luxury watch department.
Paul hyped his rematch with Woodley with an outlandishly opulent “Most Valuable Boxer” belt. It was hand-painted by street artist Alec Monopoly that featured three luxury watches—a Cartier, Rolex, and what appears to be a Richard Mille “Bubba Watson” RM 055.
“My ‘Most Valuable Boxer’ belt designed and painted by @alecmonopoly is my $500k Christmas present. Thanks to the kind hearted CEO of @mostvaluablepromotions for the belt,” he wrote.
“It’s hand painted by one of the greatest artists of our generation and features a Hermes Birkin bag sewed into the side as well as a diamond Cartier and Rolex watch.”
While Paul didn’t name the Richard Mille on his wrist, several watch-centric Instagram accounts pointed out details suggesting it’s almost certainly a fake.
A real Richard Mille “Bubba Watson,” named for the legendary golfer, sells for $400,000 or more and has a thin ceramic case, while Paul’s appears to be thick and plastic.
Highsnobiety also reports that the strap screws are positioned to closely together, citing comments from @superwatchman and @fakewatchbuster.
IG users also accused Paul of flashing a knock-off Richard Mille in the comments, with one writing, “All that and can’t even get a real watch ur a clown.” Another replied, “$500k on a belt but u got finessed with a fake watch.”
Of course, the spectacular ending to his latest celebrity boxing match buried any concerns inauthentic timepiece.
After an uneventful first five rounds, 24-year-old Paul uncorked a devastating overhand right that knocked 39-year-old Woodley out cold, leaving him face down in the center of the ring.
“This guy is a legend, don’t take anything away from his career as a UFC champion, and respect him for taking this fight on two weeks’ notice,” Paul said of Woodley’s decision to step in last-minute to replace Tommy Fury.
But if his IG critics are correct, it looks like Paul’s baller Mille watch could turn out to be the stuff of legend, as well.