Jake Paul, the YouTube star who transitioned into boxing, has officially entered the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings at No. 14. This significant move, announced on Monday night, makes him eligible to fight for a world title. The WBA’s decision came just two days after Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory over 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. in Anaheim, California.
What This Means for Jake Paul
- World Title Opportunity: Paul’s new ranking likely opens the door for him to challenge Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, the current WBA cruiserweight champion. Ramírez also fought and defended his title on the same Anaheim card as Paul. The two even had a staredown after their fights, with Paul stating, “I want tougher fighters. I want to be a world champion. Zurdo looked slow… tonight. That’d be easy work, too.”
- Financial Influence: While a remarkable achievement for someone who only started boxing six years ago, Paul’s inclusion in the WBA rankings appears to be driven more by his massive financial appeal than his boxing resume. Boxing sanctioning bodies can adjust rankings flexibly, often to capitalize on opportunities to sanction high-revenue fights – and Paul is currently one of boxing’s biggest financial draws.
Paul’s Opponents and Future Prospects
Paul’s previous opponents have largely been celebrities, former NBA players, MMA fighters, and 58-year-old Mike Tyson. None of these bouts would typically lead to a world ranking for an average boxer. Chávez Jr. was the most accomplished professional boxer Paul had faced, but he delivered a lackluster performance against Paul.
Paul has publicly stated his ambition to become a world champion. While Ramírez (48-1, 30 KOs) would represent Paul’s first true step up to world-class boxing opposition, Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, hinted that a title shot against Badou Jack, the 41-year-old WBC cruiserweight champion, might be a more probable next step.
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