Serrano Criticizes Paul for “Fake American” Comment After Super Bowl Halftime Show

Amanda Serrano, seven-weight world champion and the first boxer signed to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, publicly rebuked Paul on Monday after he labeled Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny a “fake American” following the Super Bowl halftime show.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, delivered a 14-minute set entirely in Spanish at Levi’s Stadium, becoming the first artist to stage a Spanish-language halftime show. Paul, who has walked Serrano to the ring throughout their promotional partnership, posted on X that he muted the performance and accused the six-time Grammy winner of “publicly hating America.”

Serrano, holder of the WBA and WBO featherweight titles, responded with a statement defending Puerto Rican identity: “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.”

Puerto Rico, an unincorporated U.S. territory, grants its residents American citizenship but no vote in presidential elections. Paul later clarified that his “fake” remark targeted Bad Bunny’s perceived values, not Puerto Rican status, writing: “He’s not a fake citizen obviously bc he’s Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country.”

The exchange drew criticism from across boxing. Five-weight world champion Claressa Shields urged Paul to “do better,” while Logan Paul distanced himself from his brother’s comments, asserting: “Puerto Ricans are Americans.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in on Truth Social, calling the Spanish-language halftime show “an affront to the greatness of America.”

Serrano, 48-3 as a professional, reiterated gratitude toward Most Valuable Promotions for elevating women’s boxing, but drew a line at remarks that question Puerto Rican legitimacy: “I cannot support that characterisation. It is wrong.”