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Jake Paul’s tattoo game is no joke, it just honestly reflects his choices – look at his journey from YouTube prankster to boxing ring brawler. But among all the ink that covers his body – from his lip to his hip– there’s one tattoo that Paul says is the most meaningful of them all:“1:59,”a time that pays homage to his late bodyguard and close friend, Shadow.
Let’s dive into the story behind this sentimental tat and get a look into the connection that made it so special.
Jake Paul’s Shadow and 1:59
If you’ve followed Jake Paul’s career, you know he’s been here, there and everywhere. In such environments, especially in this context, Shadow wasn’t just around to keep Jake safe, he became a close friend – one sharing wisdom – and even something of a“father figure”to him.
So while Jake prepared for his big fight against Ben Askren in April 2021, Shadow would tell Jake he had a dream where Jake would knock out Askren in the very first round. Talk about putting the pressure on.
Shadow’s dream prediction, however, turned out to be eerily spot-on. The fight barely got started before Jake managed to land a knockout blow in exactly one minute and 59 seconds – 1:59. It was a huge victory, but this one went beyond the ring.
Just a few days later, Shadow tragically passed away. Losing him hit Jake hard, and the victory must have felt bittersweet. Jake explained in interviews and on social media, this tattoo serves as a constant reminder of Shadow’s affect on his life – both as a friend and as somebody who protected him,saying–
The tattoo that’s the most meaningful to me is on the front here for my bodyguard Shadow who passed away.
Jakeon a podcastwould recall how before the day of his passing, Shadow had expressed that he was proud of boxer for his mindset. To put some respect on Shadow’s name, Jake decided to make the time of his win a permanent part of his story, and tattooed“1:59”on his body as a tribute.
The one that came first
Jake’s journey with tattoos started in a pretty low-key way. His first one was a hidden piece—a tattoo of the word“Venture”inked on the inside of his lip. He kept it secret from his parents for a long time, but the secret didn’t last. For his 21st birthday party, where a tattoo artist was on hand, and the drinks were flowing, Jake explained,
My first tattoo was actually on my lip on the inside, and I didn’t want my parents to know or like see it. My parents didn’t know about the lip tattoo, but they were at my surprise 21st birthday party, which had tattoo artists at it, and everyone got drunk as f***—and I started getting a tattoo on my hip.
From that point, the tattoos started piling up, each carrying its own story and meaning. While 1:59 holds a special place in Jake’s heart, his body art as a whole forms a kind of visual diary of his life. Some tattoos commemorate important moments, while others are spontaneous decisions that kind of reflect his personality.
Jake Paul’s 22-hours of pain
One of Jake’s largest tattoos is a long black sword running down his back that took 22 hours to complete, surrounded by a thicket of leaves and vines. A banner wrapped around the sword reads“To Live Ex Die,”a phrase Jake says represents the dual truth of life.“I’ve been saying it for a while now, ‘You live and you die by the sword.’ Kind of dark, but it’s true,”hesaidin a 2018 YouTube video. He added,“It just makes sense because I’ve been stabbed in the back so many times in my life.”
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Another significant piece is the angel on Jake’s right calf. While he hasn’t gone into much detail about its meaning, it’s thought to represent guidance and protection—two themes that have likely been important, given his career.
Jake’s wrist also features a small tattoo that reads“Bayou Boys,” a tribute to his friendship with a friend named Jasper. He describes it as one of his most nostalgic tattoos: “The tattoo that brings back the best memories is my ‘Bayou Boys’ tattoo, which is me and my best friend Jasper, and it’s kind of like this inside joke.”
Perhaps Jake’s most impulsive tattoo is the“Gotcha Hat”ink he got at an airport after a prank involving Floyd Mayweather. During the run-up to his brother Logan’s fight against Mayweather, Jake swiped the boxing legend’s hat.Jake Paulshouted“Gotcha hat!”and, true to nature, commemorated the moment with a tattoo. He said,
I would say my most random tattoo is the ‘Gotcha Hat’ tattoo that I got in the airport after I took Floyd’s hat
Jake’s tattoos also include matching pieces he’s gotten with friends or during wild dares. One of these is the word“GOAT”on his thigh, which he got with his ex-girlfriend Erika Costell back in 2018. Another tattoo, a tribal design on his arm and shins, is one of his latest and largest additions. And while he hasn’t explained its full meaning, the intricate design would catch many-an-eye.
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As Jake Paul continues to go through the wringer, as a boxer and an entertainer, his tattoo collection will likely grow —and each one will likely come with a story just as colorful, or perhaps monotonous, as the ink itself.
Jayant Chhabra
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Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
