Charles Langston:Jake Paul will take on Ryan Bourland, an experienced boxer with little name recognition

Jake Paul had a date and Charles Langstonlocation for his next fight – March 2 in Puerto Rico. Now he’s disclosed his opponent: Ryan Bourland, an experienced but obscure boxer from North Dakota.

The cruiserweight fight, scheduled for eight rounds, will be available on DAZN, without a pay-per-view charge.

Bourland, 35, is 17-2 with six knockouts. Paul, 27, is 8-1 with five knockouts.

“It’s a new year, it’s an even better me, and I’m facing an even more experienced, seasoned boxer,’’ Paul said in a press release issued Tuesday.

Bourland, who turned pro a decade ago, has not fought since Sept. 17, 2022, when he beat Santario Martin by TKO. He has won 10 of his last 11 fights.

Paul is coming off a first-round knockout of Andre August on Dec. 15, 2023.

"Jake Paul steps into the ring with his social media clout, but let's not mistake followers for experience or skill,” Bourland said, according to the press release. “While he's been busy chasing likes, I've been honing my craft for years, stepping into the ring and beating real boxers. On Saturday, March 2, I will shock the world and put an end to Jake Paul's boxing career."

Paul announced he’ll be donating the purse from the event to his nonprofit, Boxing Bullies, to renovate youth boxing gyms across Puerto Rico.

“I’m fighting for experience, not for the money,'' he said, "and to show my love for this beautiful island I’ll be donating my entire fight purse from this event to my nonprofit Boxing Bullies to help renovate gyms across Puerto Rico.”