Former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is furious with the recent charge of "outsiders" entering the sport of boxing.

Youtubers, social media stars, retired athletes from the NBA and NFL, are all jumping on the boxing bandwagon - with fights and events popping up on consistent basis in recent years.

The most successful of the bunch is certainly Youtube star Jake Paul (5-0, 4 KOs), who on August 6th will collide in the ring with heavyweight prospect Hasim Rahman Jr. at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bout headlines a Showtime Pay-Per-View card. 

Marquez explains that boxing was once viewed as such a dangerous sport that most parents would prohibit their children from following that path.

He feels the sport is being disrespected, because the Hall of Famer says the increasing number of non-boxers entering the ring is creating a narrative that anyone can enter the ring as a boxer.

“This is damaging to boxing,” Marquez said without hesitation. “I remember hearing someone ask a trainer if he would like his son to be a boxer and [the trainer] said no. Boxing is a difficult sport, but now everyone wants to be a boxer.

“Without fear of being wrong on the mater, I view it as a lack of respect. Boxing is something that is taken seriously. [A fighter] trains, prepares, the fighter leaves everything inside the ring. It is not fair that a Youtuber is fighting inside the ring, a former basketball player or a former NFL player. Boxing deserves respect. This is not a game. When you fight a life is at stake and the respect for the sport has been lost."

The 48-year-old Marquez, who retired several years ago due to nagging injuries, has not fought in the ring since 2014. Last year, Marquez was on track to fight fellow retired world champion Miguel Cotto in an exhibition bout, but the fight fell through.