The Speed Skater Who Stole Jake Paul's Heart (And Got a Million-Dollar Ring)

By Lewis Barnett 25 June, 2025 6 mins read 62 Views

Honestly? When I first heard Jake Paul was dating an Olympic speed skater, I thought it was another publicity stunt.

Boy, was I wrong. Jutta Leerdam isn't just some Instagram model looking for clout – she's a legitimate world champion who could probably outrun most of us on ice while backwards. And now she's got that massive engagement ring to prove their relationship is the real deal. The proposal happened in March 2025 in St Lucia, and let me tell you, the setup was more romantic than anything I've seen in the movies. We're talking candles, petals, ocean views – the whole nine yards.

But here's what's actually fascinating about this whole thing: while everyone's focused on the drama and the ring, there's this incredible athlete who's been quietly dominating her sport for years.

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Meet the Dutch Ice Queen

Jutta Leerdam was born December 30, 1998, in 's-Gravenzande, Netherlands. Yeah, try pronouncing that one correctly on your first attempt.

She's not just fast on ice – she's stupidly fast. Like, won-an-Olympic-silver-medal-at-Beijing-2022 fast. The girl clocked a 1:13.03 in her world championship sprint win, which might not mean much to you and me, but in speed skating circles? That's basically superhuman.

What really gets me is how she talks about her success. Back in 2022, she told NPO Radio 1: "I have become stronger and heavier. I now use that extra fat as strength." I love that honesty. No BS about being naturally gifted – just straight talk about getting stronger and using every advantage.

After one of her major wins in Salt Lake City, she was practically speechless: "I just became World Champion, I don't know what happened... I can't believe it yet." That's the kind of genuine reaction that makes you root for someone.

Instagram Famous Before Jake Was Even in teh Picture

Here's something that might surprise you: Jutta had over 5 million Instagram followers (@juttaleerdam) before she started dating Jake. This wasn't some unknown athlete riding his coattails to fame.

Her feed is actually pretty refreshing – yeah, there are fashion shots and travel pics, but there's also real training content and behind-the-scenes looks at competitive speed skating. It's authentic in a way that's rare these days.

How a DM Changed Everything

The origin story is almost too simple to believe. They found each other on Instagram (of course), started chatting, and Jake flew her out to Miami. Classic modern romance, right?

But here's where it gets interesting – Jake was at his absolute lowest point after losing to Tommy Fury. His own words: "I was in a dark place." Enter Jutta, who understood competition and losing in ways most people couldn't.

Jake explained it perfectly in one of his YouTube videos: "She's one of the most pure-hearted human beings that I have met in my life, so genuine and she has just changed my perspective and helped me coming out of this loss... She really was there talking about her losses and was able to relate to those things."

That's when you know it's real – when someone can help you process failure, not just celebrate success.

The Proposal That Nearly Broke the Internet

March 2025, St Lucia. Jake went all out with what experts estimate was a $1 million engagement ring. (Yeah, you read that right – seven figures for a piece of jewelry.)

The funny part? Jake admitted he was more nervous proposing than fighting: "By far, I was way more nervous to propose than for any fight. So yeah, to all the men who are getting ready to propose, some whiskey before it's very helpful."

I can't decide if that's sweet or hilarious. Probably both.

Long Distance Love and Championship Dreams

Now here's the reality check – they're living over 4,000 miles apart. Jutta trains in the Netherlands while Jake's set up shop in Puerto Rico for his boxing career. That's rough for any couple, let alone newly engaged ones.

But Jake's got this vision that's actually pretty compelling: "At the time you go to the Winter Olympics in two years, that is when I am going to be fighting for a world championship. We both could potentially be world champions. Number one in the world together, and I think that might just be the first couple to do that."

Whether that happens or not, you've got to admire the ambition.

Jake's next fight is against Julio César Chávez Jr. at the Honda Center in Anaheim on June 28, 2025. It follows his controversial but decisive win over Mike Tyson last year. You can bet Jutta will be ringside, probably the only person there who truly understands what it feels like to compete at that level.

Sometimes the most unlikely couples make the most sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a beginner boxer focus on?

As a beginner, your focus should be on learning proper form and technique. Mastering basic punches is one way to get started. Another is to establish a good defense, learn footwork, or improve your conditioning. Start slow, focus on technique rather than power, and consult a coach with experience.

How can I protect meself in boxing

Boxing defense includes a number of techniques. You can use slips, weaves and rolls as well as footwork and maintain distance by using your feet. It is important to master your offensive skills as well as learn these defensive techniques.

How do I wrap hands for boxing?

Hand wrapping is essential in boxing for protecting your wrists and hands from injury. Start by unwinding and wrapping the thumb around your thumb. Next, extend the wrap around the back your hand. Finally, circle your wrist several time. Cross your fingers between each other, then cover your knuckles. Finally, secure the wrap with Velcro.

What is the proper boxing stance?

The classic boxing stance involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, the lead foot forward, and the rear foot at a 45-degree angle. Your knees should be slightly bent, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. Your hands should be raised to protect your face. Keep your elbows tucked into your torso to protect it.

Do beginners need to spar in boxing?

Beginners shouldn't immediately start sparring. They should wait until they have a solid base in the basics, and a level of fitness that is acceptable. Sparring under the supervision and wearing protective gear is essential to ensure safety.

What is amateur and professional Boxing?

Amateur boxing is typically focused more on the sport aspect, with an emphasis on skill, technique, and points scored rather than knockouts. It usually involves shorter rounds, and protective headgear is required. Professional boxing, on the other hand, is a full-time career with longer rounds, no headgear, and a greater emphasis on power and knockouts.

Statistics

Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.

External Links

How To

How to Maintain guard in Boxing

To be able to defend yourself, you must maintain a good guard. Your gloves should be kept up in front your face, with your palms facing you. Your elbows should be tucked in close to your body. This will protect you from body and head blows. Practice the guard stance throughout all of your training.