Serrano criticises Paul for 'fake American' comment

Jake Paul regularly accompanies Amanda Serrano to the ring

Seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano has said Jake Paul was wrong to call Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny a "fake American" following his performance during the Super Bowl half-time show.

Puerto Rican Serrano was the first boxer to be signed by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in 2021 and was handed a "lifetime" contract by the company in 2025.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, performed a 14-minute set at Levi's Stadium in California as the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots.

Paul said in a post on X that he turned off the half-time show because he could not support Bad Bunny and suggested that the six-time Grammy Award winner "publicly hates America".

WBA and WBO featherweight champion Serrano responded with her own lengthy statement, saying she was "celebrating with awe" at how Bad Bunny represented her culture before addressing Paul directly.

"I am proud to be Puerto Rican, and I am proud to be an American citizen," Serrano wrote.

"Puerto Ricans are not "fake Americans". We are citizens who have contributed to this country in every field, from military service to sports, business, science, and the arts, and our identity and citizenship deserve respect.

"I would not have the opportunities I have without the support and belief that Most Valuable Promotions and Jake Paul showed in me, and I will always be grateful for the role they have played in helping change my life and in elevating women's boxing.

"At the same time, I want to be clear: I do not agree with statements that question the legitimacy or identity of Puerto Rican people, and I cannot support that characterisation. It is wrong."

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Ricans cannot vote in the election to decide the president but they do have American citizenship.

Paul later said his use of the word fake had been "misinterpreted".

"He's not a fake citizen obviously bc [because] he's Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country," Paul posted on X.

"Moreso Bunny is fake bc of his values and criticism of our great country."

Amanda Serrano has won 48 of her 53 fights as a professional

Paul made his professional boxing debut in 2020 and has won 12 of his 14 fights but lost his most high-profile bout to Anthony Joshua in December.

His brother Logan said he did not agree with his sibling's comments and that "Puerto Ricans are Americans".

Claressa Shields, a five-weight world champion, urged Paul to "do better".

"Puerto Ricans are not fake citizens," Shields posted on X.

"You would think that you of all people would support this as you have so many Puerto Rican women under your umbrella.

"What's happening with ICE is terrible and we shouldn't want to see harm done to anyone who is a part of America & a minority! Do better Jake. This isn't right."

The 31-year-old made two statements in English, one with a billboard message reading "The only thing more powerful than hate is love" and the other "Together, We Are America" written on a football that he held.

President Donald Trump also criticised the half-time show on his Truth social media platform, saying it was an "affront to the greatness of America".