Hollywood has a bad habit of chasing trends without understanding what actually makes something work. Case in point: the swirling rumor that Jake Paul might appear in Creed 4. Whether he’ll show up as a villain, a cameo, or a full-on opponent for Adonis Creed hasn’t been confirmed—but even as a whisper, it’s a bad idea.

Let’s break this down.

Jake Paul is a former Disney Channel star who pivoted to boxing—not through traditional routes, but by handpicking opponents like retired UFC fighters, ex-NBA players, and past-their-prime boxers. The man’s entire boxing career has been built more on spectacle than sport. And that’s not even touching the allegations that some of his fights are rigged, with slow-motion footage suggesting clear pre-arranged signals before knockouts.

So why inject that kind of circus energy into a franchise that, up to this point, has been about legacy, struggle, and legitimate athletic drama? The Creed series built itself as a worthy continuation of the Rocky saga—stories rooted in grit, growth, and real emotion. Jake Paul undermines that.

Some might argue it’s just a cameo. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. But even then—why? What’s the point of putting a divisive internet personality in a franchise built on authenticity? It doesn’t boost credibility. It doesn’t honor the sport. It doesn’t add anything, except maybe headlines from the kind of sites that confuse buzz for quality.

Let’s hope this stays a rumor. Because if Creed 4 wants to keep swinging with heart, it shouldn’t be shadowboxing with YouTube gimmicks.

World War Joe