Jake Paul, the social media star-turned-boxer, has officially entered the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings, opening the door for a potential world title fight.
The WBA placed Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) at No. 14 in their latest rankings, which came just two days after his impressive victory over 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision in Anaheim, California.
WBA Cruiserweight Title Fight Possible Against Gilberto Ramírez
Paul’s ranking means that he is now eligible to challenge WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (48-1, 30 KOs) for the title. Ramírez, who defended his belt successfully against Yuniel Dorticos in Anaheim, is considered one of the top fighters in the cruiserweight division.
Though a deal has not been agreed upon yet, the two fighters shared a tense moment at the post-fight news conference, where they exchanged a stare-down. Paul, eager for tougher competition, expressed his confidence, claiming that Ramírez looked “slow” and stating that he would have no trouble defeating him.
“I want tougher fighters. I want to be a world champion,” Paul said after his victory over Chávez, adding, “Zurdo looked slow … tonight. That’d be easy work, too.”
Paul’s Ranking: A Milestone With Financial Backing
While Paul’s entry into the WBA rankings is a significant personal achievement, it’s important to note that his position reflects more than just his boxing skills. The WBA’s ranking system is internally determined and can change based on various factors, including financial potential.
Paul’s immense popularity, which has been built on his social media fame, is a major factor in the sanctioning body’s decision to rank him.
Over the past few years, Paul has taken on opponents from a variety of backgrounds, including fellow YouTubers, an NBA player, and even the legendary 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
However, his opponents have often been criticized for lacking the caliber of traditional boxers, and some believe that his fame rather than his fighting record is driving his rise in the rankings. His only loss came in 2023 against Tommy Fury, a real professional boxer, but one who isn’t yet a title contender.
The Road Ahead: Potential Opponents and Challenges
Paul’s victory over Chávez, who is a former WBC middleweight champion, was his most impressive to date, though Chávez showed little resistance throughout most of the fight. Paul has now set his sights on even more formidable opponents in the cruiserweight division.
Ramírez would mark Paul’s first real challenge against world-class opposition. However, Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, hinted that Paul might pursue a WBC cruiserweight title fight against Badou Jack, the 41-year-old Swedish champion, instead.
Bidarian expressed concerns about Ramírez’s lack of promotion and fan engagement, suggesting that Jack might offer a better opportunity for a big-money fight.
“The biggest issue with that (Paul vs. Ramírez) fight is Zurdo didn’t show himself to be at all a promoter in this process,” Bidarian said. “Why aren’t we seeing more out of Zurdo? Why isn’t he more engaged with the fans? Someone like Badou Jack is someone that we want to have a conversation with.”
Jake Paul’s Ambitions: Aiming for the Title
Paul’s ultimate goal is clear—he wants to become a world champion. He has repeatedly stated that he believes he is destined to reach the top of boxing and has been vocal about his intentions to face the best in the sport.
Whether that journey leads him to a title shot against Ramírez, Jack, or another top contender, it’s clear that Paul is determined to continue proving his worth as a legitimate boxer.
