American YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul has revealed how the sport saved him.
Paul found fame through the social media app Vine before launching his YouTube career alongside his brother Logan.
The Paul brothers eventually moved to Los Angeles in search of even more fame and money.
Over the last few years, Paul has moved into the sport of boxing and most recently went up against Tommy Fury, a bout that he lost via a split decision.
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In a recent interview, Paul candidly opened up about how boxing saved his life from spiralling out of control.
He told DAZN: “I was drinking, doing drugs, doing all sorts of crazy s*** in Los Angeles, not being myself. Because that's what happens when you're drinking like that and doing those things like that.
“I needed something to save me and boxing showed up out of nowhere. I definitely worry - that side of me is the Problem Child side of me - that can get involved in those of things.”
Paul continued: “But everybody has a story and I'm just now comfortable telling that story because I was kind of embarrassed by it.
“I didn't know if I could talk about those things, I didn't want to say that I had those problems or was doing those things. But I was like, if I can share my story about that and finding boxing and saving me then maybe someone else will be able to relate.”
Paul will be back in action when he takes on former UFC star Nate Diaz in August.
When asked about whether he can have a prolonged career in the sport, he said: “One hundred per cent, always. Promoting fights, helping fighters, using my platform.
“I've even thought about getting my referee's licence. Wouldn't that be funny? Wouldn't that be funny, if I'm like in the ring, refitting a match?”
Marcus Chan