2024’s opening Most Valuable Prospects at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, turned out to be a revelation. Over half a dozen bouts were featured on the Ashton Sylve–Estivan Falcao headliner. Brought live on DAZN, other attractions made their presence felt; however, it was a quiet whiff of fresh air that stole away the day. No surprises; the inspiring story moved Jake Paul, the man behind Most Valuable Promotions, under whose auspices the event took place.

‘The Problem Child’ stands proud. But more than that, he feels honored that a prolific fighter embraced the event. The boxing community will remember Julian Smith‘s victory for sure. They will talk about it for months and years to come. But probably, more than that, how he did it should fire the imagination of many more. Despite all the odds stacked against him, he brought forth what could be one of the biggest upsets of the year. Paul wasted no time in praising the prodigy.

A Resilient Trailblazer Impresses ‘The Problem Child’: Jake Paul hails Julian Smith

“What an inspirational story,” wrote Jake Paul on his Instagram story. “Anything is possible if you dedicate yourself to it. Honored for MVP and I to be a small part @quietstormwbc.” The Ohioan added. The Most Valuable Promotions initially shared a clip showing Julian Smith celebrating his win and meeting Paul. Their message read, “4 days later, and we still have goosebumps. Another huge congrats to @quietstormwbc !!!”

The footage explained why Julian ‘The Quest Storm’ Smith gave one of the ‘best boxing stories of the year’. The narrator shared how the boxer, who was legally pronounced deaf, faced severe challenges both in life and boxing. In the Most Valuable Prospects, he was lined up against an unbeaten and ranked boxer, Orestes Velazquez. The Cuban-born boxer turned up as the heavy favorite.

“Julien ‘The Quiet Storm’ Smith gave us one of the best stories of the boxing year. And here’s why: The man was pronounced legally deaf at a young age… He steps into the ring at Most Valuable Prospects 5, going up against Orestes Velazquez, who’s top 10 in the WBA from the Cuban school of boxing. So many accolades in his career, —2500 favorite Velazquez was in this fight,” the host explained.

But, as it turned out, Velazquez was knocked down four times. Finally, his side had had enough, and in the ninth round, they called up to stop the fight. Perhaps the most touching moment came when Julian Smith’s mother appeared in the ring. “It was out of a movie. If anything we learned from Most Valuable Prospects 5 is that Julien ‘Quiet Storm’ Smith overcame all the odds and came out on top, what a story,” said the host.

33-year-old Julian Smith professionally debuted on July 29, 2018. So far, he has participated in ten bouts, out of which eight he won and the remaining two were reversals. Five of his eight wins, including the latest victory over Orestes Velazquez, came through knockouts. On February 2, he made his third appearance in the Most Valuable Promotions’ Prospects series, scoring his second consecutive win.

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