by Bridget Weishaar
Being furloughed from her waitressing job in 2020 didn’t deter Jaelyn Ray from the pursuit of trying something new.
In fact, if it wasn’t for the pandemic restrictions of the time, Ray never would have taken to the internet and became a famous content creator.
What began with playing a popular video game, League of Legends, in her Lawrence living room, three years later has netted over 400,000 followers on multiple social media platforms.
Not only did the internet set her on the path to becoming a TikTok influencer, it most recently led her into the boxing ring, and as a competitor in this year’s Creator Clash 2, a charity boxing event being held April 15 in Tampa, Fla.
While playing League of Legends online, she became friends with another woman, Anisa, the wife of content creator/boxer iDubbbz. Anisa mentioned that they were looking for creators to fight in the Clash. A few questions later and Ray was officially in.
In 2018, iDubbz called out a fellow YouTuber in a video challenging him to a boxing match. The prospect eventually backed out, but left iDubbbz actively searching for new creators to join his event, the first annual Creator Clash.
The event now in its second year, is for content creators only. The first event, held in 2022, amassed over $1 million dollars which was split between three charities.
Although she only picked up a set of boxing gloves in Sept. 2022, Ray is no stranger to the competitive world. She spent eight years in the roller derby ring until COVID-19 ended her career with the Capital City Crushers of Topeka. She appeared at National competition twice, 2017 in Colorado and 2018 in Philadelphia.
The requirements of Creator Clash 2 included being willing to put in the work, and be within the 5' 1" to the 5' 3" height range.
Once accepted into the Creator Clash family, Ray set out to find a local gym with a boxing coach. She found both at the Underground Lab in Lawrence, where she trains under the direction of boxing coach Daniel Barajas. She is also a member of the Animal Kingdom boxing club.
Once training began, Ray attended two days a week; after those two weeks she moved up to three days a week, with two personal sessions and one group session. In December, she moved up to six days a week including two personal sessions, two group settings, and adding two sparring sessions into the mix.
Ray’s bout in the Creator Clash 2 will be one of twelve matches taking place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. There are seven male and five female bouts slated for the event. Headlining the event will be the founder himself, iDubbbz against Alex Wassabi.
Ray, a featherweight in the competition, is pitted against fellow content creator Abelina Sabrina. Ray is the youngest boxer in the event at age 22-her competitor is 27.
Online Ray is known as “Jaelaray” to her fans. She has dubbed herself the “Kansas Killer.” Ray prides herself on being the Pride of the Prairie, the Best of the Midwest.
“I want being a Kansan and being from the Midwest to be a big deal. Someone’s got to represent the middle,” Ray said.
Creator Clash 2 will be streamed live on Pay Per View the day of the event. Tickets are $30 and your purchase will allow you to watch the event up to seven days after.
All proceeds from ticket sales go to charity. Ray has chosen the Kids Cancer Foundation, a charity close to her heart after a cancer diagnosis in her family early last year.
Supporters of Ray can find her @Jaelaray on YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch.
Ray’s goal for this year’s event is just to be asked back next year. “I don’t necessarily have to win, I just want to do good enough to be invited back” Ray stated.
Ray is a native of Winchester. She graduated from Jefferson County North High School in 2019 before moving to Lawrence.
