Tekashi 6ix9ine sparks controversy at Jake Paul ringwalk ahead of prison return
Controversial cameo during boxing showdown with Anthony Joshua draws backlash as rapper heads to prison in January
Friday night in Miami, Jake Paul fought Anthony Joshua in a boxing showdown watched by tens of millions on Netflix, and the spectacle was overshadowed by the surprise ringwalk of rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine. The New York-born performer, real name Daniel Hernandez, appeared as Paul’s guest, wearing an ankle monitor that underscores his probation terms as he moves toward a return to prison.
Paul’s decision to feature 6ix9ine on a platform-reaching event drew swift backlash from fans and critics who questioned whether someone facing prison time should be celebrated on such a stage. The fight was broadcast to a global audience on Netflix, and the appearance dominated social media conversations during and after the event.
6ix9ine was sentenced this month to an additional three months in prison for probation violations, including drug possession and assault; he is due to report on January 6. He pled guilty to cocaine and ecstasy possession and to assaulting a man in a mall who had called him a snitch. The rapper has been under probation since returning home in 2020 after testifying against the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods in a racketeering case in which he claimed they double-crossed him.
Background on Hernandez’s legal history helps illustrate the controversy surrounding his appearance. In March 2020, federal agents raided a Florida mansion tied to him, seizing firearms and drugs as investigations into his associates continued. Earlier in his career, Hernandez faced a separate count tied to a 2015 case involving the sexual performance of a minor, for which he received a four-year probation period. In January 2024, he was released on bond after a Dominican Republic judge found that prosecutors’ evidence was insufficient to keep him in custody following a domestic-violence arrest involving his then-girlfriend’s mother in 2023.
The Friday night moment also highlighted the broader tension between entertainment value and accountability. Paul dressed as Hulk Hogan for the ring entry, a theatrical flourish that underscored how high-profile boxing events increasingly blend sports spectacle with celebrity personas. The decision to feature 6ix9ine drew mixed reactions from fans, with some arguing that the platform’s reach could amplify a problematic message, while others suggested that prominent figures deserve a public platform regardless of past misdeeds.
In the aftermath, organizers and commentators discussed the implications of celebrating a figure with a long, documented history of legal troubles. The Netflix audience, reaching across national and cultural lines, amplified the debate about where entertainment ends and responsibility begins. Some observers noted that the appearance could overshadow the boxing match itself, while others argued that audiences have a right to see and discuss the full spectrum of public figures in the spotlight.
As Hernandez faces the final days of his probation, the episode has already become a talking point about celebrity culture, accountability, and the power of mass media to shape narratives around figures with controversial histories. Whether future promoters will replicate the approach remains uncertain, but the incident serves as a high-profile example of how entertainment intersects with real-world consequences in the era of streaming-dominated sports.