Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, won't give up on his dream of winning a legitimate world boxing title. He's pushing forward with this goal despite the controversy surrounding his entry into the sport.
Paul's boxing record includes wins over Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry. Most of these opponents are retired MMA fighters or low-level boxers. His only loss came against Tommy Fury. Now, Paul is gearing up for his next big challenge - a fight against former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on November 15. The bout will consist of eight two-minute rounds.
The boxing community has mixed feelings about Paul's presence in the sport. Some aren't happy with his entry, while others think he's bringing fresh eyes to boxing. Gilberto Mendoza, the WBA president, seems open to putting Paul in a championship fight. He's even suggested a possible match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, though it might be for a newly-created belt rather than a world title.
Gilberto Ramirez, the current WBA Cruiserweight World Champion, has some thoughts on potentially facing Paul. In an interview with ES News, Ramirez said:
"F**k yeah, why not? Who cares? Easy money. Knock him out, four rounds. Give some entertainment to the people."
Ramirez, a former super-middleweight titlist who had six fights at light-heavyweight before moving up, won the cruiserweight belt in 2023 by defeating Arsen Goulamirian.
Other current cruiserweight champions include Jai Opetaia, Chris Billam-Smith, and Norair Mikaeljan. If Paul wants to achieve his goal, he'll need to face one of these champions or wait for a title to become vacant.
Many people think Paul won't be able to win a legitimate world title. But with his determination and the attention he brings to boxing, it's hard to say what might happen. For now, all eyes are on his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson, which will surely be a spectacle, regardless of the outcome.
