Jake Paul's boxing career has sparked a new debate. The YouTuber-turned-boxer got ranked 14th in the WBA cruiserweight division. This decision has made active boxers and experts angry. The WBA might change their mind about this ranking.
Paul got this spot after he beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a unanimous decision. He's got a record of 10 wins and 1 loss, with 7 knockouts. Paul was happy about the ranking and thanked WBA president Gilberto Mendoza.
"Greetings to the WBA and Gilberto for being disruptive and not being afraid to recognize me. Seeing all these lists with the current champion, Badou Jack. Bring him to me!"
But not everyone agrees with this decision. Critics say Paul hasn't beaten a real, active, ranked opponent in the cruiserweight division. They point out that Chavez Jr. wasn't ranked as a cruiserweight, and his last big win was back in 2012 at middleweight.
Craig Parker, who was 14th before Paul, got pushed down to 15th. He wasn't happy about it.
"It was a slap in the face... all the effort and sacrifice we make to be ranked, and he just walks in"
The WBA plans to look at this decision again during their European convention in Madrid from July 15-18. They might take back the ranking. The Ring magazine reported this.
Paul's promoters, MVP Promotions, stood by their fighter:
"We can't say we're surprised. But whatever happens, they won't stop him. He falls 10 times and gets up every time. Get ready to hate what you can't control"
Paul has mentioned some new targets after beating Chavez Jr., but we don't know who they are yet. He's still a controversial figure in boxing, having switched from YouTube to professional fighting. The current WBA cruiserweight champion is Badou Jack, who Paul seems eager to face.
