Jake Paul signs Tampa’s first homegrown world champ 

Jasmine “Animal” Artiga became Tampa’s first native-born world boxing champion in March. Jake Paul plans to make her a household name.

The former YouTube and current boxing star’s company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), signed Artiga and four other elite, international female fighters Tuesday. Paul and his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, intend to expand the sport’s global reach. 

Recent history suggests Artiga, the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) super-flyweight champ, is in good hands. The promotion’s all-women’s card on Netflix set several financial and viewership records less than three weeks before the announcement.

“Signing with MVP is more than just a career move – it’s a statement for me,” Artiga said. “ I carry more than just titles and ambition. I carry the pride of my city, the fight for future generations and the fire of someone who’s only just begun.” 

Artiga, 33, played basketball at Bloomingdale and Riverview High Schools. She then became the youngest woman to join the Legends Football League. 

While the Cuban-American grew up in a boxing household, Artiga did not take up the “sweet science” until the age of 21. She quickly graduated from the amateur ranks under her father’s tutelage. 

After 13 unbeaten professional bouts, including a first-round technical knockout on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series, Artiga stormed into the spotlight. She secured the vacant WBA women’s super-flyweight title March 22 with a majority decision over Mexico’s Regina Chavez. 

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor subsequently recognized Artiga’s contributions to the community and sport of boxing with a ceremony at City Hall. The world champ mentors and trains youth at a camp she launched during the pandemic. 

Artiga, “from the bottom of her heart,” thanked the “one and only Peter Kahn,” her father and boxing manager. She also called the kids she trains the “next generation of champions.” 

“They are the heartbeat behind every punch I throw,” Artiga said. 

Jasmine Artiga is a proud Tampa native. Photo: Instagram.

MVP’s blockbuster Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano III bout made history July 11. The event earned a Guinness World Record for the most world championship belts – 17, all held by women – in a single fight card.

The headliners garnered nearly six million global viewers, making it the most-watched professional women’s sports event of 2025. A sold-out crowd of 19,271 people generated a $2.63 million gate at New York’s Madison Square Garden, setting a new record for women’s boxing.

The card also led to record paydays, with Serrano becoming the highest-paid women’s athlete in history for a single event. “We are serious about women’s boxing – have been since day one,” Paul said in a social media post Tuesday. 

Artiga (13-0-1, 6 KOs) said she is “super excited” to join MVP. She credited Paul, Bidarian and a “powerhouse team” for their commitment to “pushing the sport, and especially women’s boxing, forward.” 

“It means aligning with a team that truly believes in empowering women fighters, and giving us the platform we’ve earned,” Artiga added. “I’m honored to step into this new chapter.” 

Artiga’s signing will likely bring more world-class boxing events to Tampa Bay. Paul faced Orlando resident and bare-knuckle champ Mike Perry in MVP’s “Fear No Man” promotion at Amalie Arena in July 2024. 

The co-main event featured another Tampa native, Stevie Morgan, who unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone Serrano. Paul also defeated former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star Tyron Woodley at Amalie in December 2021. 

Paul has local ties, as two Tampa-based venture capital firms have invested in his sports betting app, Betr. “Tampa has been home to two of MVP’s biggest events, and having the opportunity to sign the city’s first native-born champion in Jasmine (Artiga) is exciting as we think about future events in the market,” Paul and Bidarian said in a joint prepared statement. 

Artiga’s first title defense is Aug. 23 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando against Linn Sandstrom. She is “fired up for what lies ahead” under MVP, and called fighting so close to home “a dream.” 

“Tampa raised me, and now I get to walk out in front of my people, the kids I mentor, my family and everyone who’s believed in me since day one,” Artiga said. “To my city, Tampa: This victory is always ours.”