JAKE PAUL says the WBC and WBA plan to hand him a world ranking if he beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – setting up a controversial title shot.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer has voiced lofty ambitions of challenging for cruiserweight gold – despite only turning professional in 2020.
ReutersJake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr[/caption]
But to do so, he must be ranked within the governing bodies’ ratings.
And Paul claimed the WBC and WBA – boxing’s oldest organisations – will do so if he beat ex-middleweight champion Chavez Jr on Saturday.
Paul said: “My goal is to become world champion and the WBA and WBC plan on ranking me depending on my performance. And once I’m ranked I can go for the title shot.
“He’s a formidable opponent, former world champion, it’s a great, test ten rounds to get ready for what will ultimately be a world championship fight one day.”
Per WBC rules, a contender must be ranked within their top 15 to be considered for a shot at the world title – held by Badou Jack at 200lb.
And the WBA evaluates boxers based on factors, including their record, activity, and the caliber of their opponents.
Boxers also need at least two ten-round bouts to be considered for a ranking – with Chavez Jr indeed Paul’s second fight scheduled for that distance.
But Paul is yet to beat anyone ranked within the WBC or WBA – losing to the former No39-ranked cruiserweight Tommy Fury in 2023.
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
JAKE PAUL’S controversial boxing career rolls on this weekend with the Problem Child facing boxing royalty in Anaheim, California.
Paul will face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a highly-decorated former world middleweight champion.
The Mexican, 39, has fought just once in the last four years but has the best boxing resume of any fighter to step into a ring with Paul – bar Mike Tyson, who was aged 58 at the time they fought.
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Despite that, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed he will consider Paul for a ranking if he beats Chavez Jr.
Sulaiman told Action Network: “My personal opinion is yes, we do have a rankings committee, but I believe he has done enough and he has received all the backlash for several years.
“If he beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, I think that puts him in a different position.”
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