Jake Paul’s Girlfriend: Inside the Boxer’s Relationship with Olympic Speed Skater Jutta Leerdam

By Jason Bolton April 21, 2025 11:52

Jake Paul’s life outside the ring has become as headline-worthy as his boxing career, thanks to his relationship with Dutch Olympic speed skater Jutta Leerdam. The couple, who got engaged in March 2025, represent a rare power pairing of elite athletes—one dominating social media and boxing, the other a decorated winter sports star. Here’s how their romance evolved, from Instagram DMs to wedding plans.

The Proposal

Paul, 28, proposed to Leerdam, 26, on March 21, 2025, in a ceremony straight out of a rom-com. Photos shared on Instagram showed the couple dressed in all-white attire, surrounded by a floral arch and candlelit setup. Leerdam, visibly stunned, covered her mouth as Paul knelt with a ring featuring a large oval diamond flanked by smaller stones. The boxer captioned the post: “We’re engaged 🕊 we can’t wait to spend forever together.”

The engagement capped a whirlwind two-year romance that began when Paul slid into Leerdam’s DMs in 2023. “I’m Dutch now,” he joked in their first public post together, referencing her Netherlands heritage. By 2025, they were openly discussing shared goals: Paul aims to win a boxing world title, while Leerdam targets gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. “We’ll both be champions at the same time,” Paul told The Hollywood Reporter.

Leerdam’s Athletic Pedigree

Leerdam isn’t just a social media presence—she’s a force on the ice. The 2022 Olympic silver medalist in the 1,000-meter event has six European Championship gold medals and multiple World Championship podiums. Her Instagram following (4.5 million) rivals Paul’s, blending athletic prowess with influencer appeal.

“She’s the real deal—a world-class athlete who doesn’t need Jake’s fame,” said a Dutch sports journalist. That credibility adds legitimacy to Paul’s crossover appeal, particularly after his criticized matchups against MMA fighters and aging legends like Mike Tyson.

Their Shared Hustle

Both thrive on discipline and self-promotion. Paul’s 11-1 boxing record includes a controversial 2024 win over Tyson, which reportedly earned him $40 million. Leerdam, meanwhile, balances grueling training with sponsorships from brands like Red Bull. Their relationship plays out publicly, with Leerdam cheering Paul at fights and Paul attending her speed skating events, including the 2025 ISU World Championships in Norway.

“They’re the ultimate ‘couple goals’ for Gen Z—ambitious, unapologetic, and always camera-ready,” a branding expert told Yahoo Sports.

Past Relationships and Growth

Paul’s dating history reads like a YouTube drama script. He famously had an on-again, off-again relationship with model Julia Rose, which played out in viral breakup videos. A 2019 “marriage” to YouTuber Tana Mongeau was later deemed a publicity stunt.

Leerdam, by contrast, has kept her personal life relatively private. Her relationship with Paul marks a departure from his earlier tabloid antics. “Jutta’s maturity balances Jake’s chaos,” a friend of the couple told People.

The Road Ahead

With a wedding likely in late 2025 or early 2026, the couple faces logistical challenges. Leerdam’s training base in the Netherlands clashes with Paul’s camp in Puerto Rico, though they’ve managed frequent transatlantic visits.

Their careers also intersect symbolically: Paul’s boxing matches now feature nods to Dutch culture (orange gloves, anyone?), while Leerdam’s social media increasingly highlights boxing terminology. It’s a mutual brand boost—one that could redefine athlete-influencer partnerships.

As one boxing promoter put it: “Jake’s not just dating an Olympian—he’s merging audiences. That’s smart business.”

Why It Matters
For Paul, Leerdam represents more than romance. She’s a bridge to mainstream sports credibility, helping him shed the “YouTube boxer” label. For Leerdam, Paul’s platform amplifies speed skating’s visibility in markets where winter sports struggle for attention.

“We push each other,” Leerdam said in a rare joint interview. Whether that translates to gold medals and title belts remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: their union is a masterclass in modern fame.