Jake Paul, the former Disney star and YouTuber turned boxer, has entered the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings. This move follows his unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, bringing Paul one step closer to his goal of becoming a world champion.
The WBA has placed Paul at number 14 in their cruiserweight list. This ranking makes him officially eligible for a world title fight. Currently, Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez holds the 'super champion' status in the division, and there's no interim champion.
Paul, known as "El Gallo Paul" or "The Problem Child," now boasts a professional record of 12 wins and 1 loss, with 7 knockouts. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury in 2023, in what many consider his toughest fight to date.
After beating Chavez Jr, Paul didn't hold back on his ambitions:
"I want tougher fighters. I want to be world champion. The 'Zurdo' looked slow tonight. That fight would be easy too."
Paul's confidence extends beyond the cruiserweight division. On his YouTube channel 'BS with Jake Paul', he set his sights on even bigger names:
"I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know I'm going to beat him up. He has no chin, he has no skill and he's stiff. I'll beat Canelo, I'll beat a lot of people."
These bold claims got a quick response from boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Regarding a potential Joshua vs Paul fight, Hearn stated:
"It would be catastrophic, it would be his end. They are clever with the opponents they choose."
Paul's rise in the rankings has sparked debate in the boxing world. Some question if he's truly worthy of the 14th spot or if financial considerations played a role. Others wonder if it's fair to other fighters that Paul might get a world title shot so soon.
The former YouTuber has shown he can throw good and powerful combinations. However, he's yet to face top-level opponents, leaving many to question if he's ready for a championship belt fight.
Paul's recent victories include a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and knockouts against Ryan Bourland and Andre August. These wins have helped build his credibility in the sport.
As Paul climbs the rankings, the boxing world watches with interest. Will he continue his rise, or will he face a reality check against more experienced opponents? Only time will tell if "The Problem Child" can solve the puzzle of becoming a world champion.
