Jake Paul says he’s lastly going to combat the type of opponent his critics need to see him face. Subsequent yr.
On Saturday, Paul added one other win to his boxing résumé, taking a unanimous resolution over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. of their cruiserweight combat in Anaheim, Calif. It was another underwhelming performance from Paul, who was visibly bigger than the 39-year-old Chavez, and solely continued the criticism Paul has confronted for hand-picking undersized and past-their-prime opponents. However for Paul, this win was a pivotal second in his profession: a turning level for him in the direction of a extra severe boxing run.
“I don’t even suppose I used to be a fighter then,” Paul stated in his post-fight press convention when requested about his loss to Tommy Fury compared to his efficiency on Saturday. “That was two years, two-and-a-half years into the game, and I didn’t know what I used to be doing. I didn’t have the fitting staff round me, the correct staff round me, the correct conditioning. My way of life exterior of the ring was nonetheless like a YouTube, movie star, actor, no matter I used to be on the time. I wasn’t totally centered on boxing.
“This seems like chapter one is completed tonight, now we’re shifting on to chapter two and I’m simply getting warmed up on this sport. Folks maintain the Tommy Fury factor in opposition to me, however what now? I simply beat a former world champion, and I’m coming to avenge that loss, as effectively, with Tommy.”
Paul misplaced a break up resolution to Fury in 2023, bolstering criticism that Paul is just not an actual boxer, as he held himself out to be. Since then, the previous YouTuber has received six in a row, although his opponents did little to dissuade his critics. Earlier than going through Chavez, Paul squared off with 58-year-old Mike Tyson in an eight-round combat final November. However along with his new shift towards a extra severe boxing profession, Paul now units his sights on a extra age-appropriate matchup: former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
“That’s the primary one which we’ve talked quite a bit about,” Paul’s enterprise accomplice, Nakisa Bidarian, stated. “If it’s not for the title, it’s taking a look at Tommy, if he’s affordable, after which Anthony Joshua. And he’s adamant that he desires to make that combat occur on the finish of 2026. We’re going to satisfy with Matchroom whereas we’re in New York.”
Solely 35 years previous, Joshua is a former unified heavyweight champion, and considered some of the harmful punchers of his era. Joshua brutally knocked out Francis Ngannou in March of 2024, earlier than getting stopped by Daniel Dubois in September of that yr of their IBF heavyweight title combat. For Paul, Joshua would signify an enormous leap up in competitors, however one “The Drawback Baby” insists he’s prepared for.
“I’m undoubtedly not a heavyweight however I’m nonetheless going to take the problem,” Paul stated. “You take a look at Deontay Wilder, he was beating these guys weighing 215 kilos. Granted, he’s 6-foot-6 or one thing, however something is feasible. I just like the problem. That’s the criticism. ‘Battle somebody of their prime who’s a beast!’ I believe folks simply need to see me lose. That’s actually the message behind all of it. Anthony Joshua is an insane combat, however I need that problem. We’ve been DMing backwards and forwards, he desires to make it occur, he referred to as me up, and it’s trying very seemingly for subsequent yr.”
