Jake Paul has revealed that the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) are considering granting him a world ranking if he secures a victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This potential ranking could controversially pave the way for a world title challenge for the internet personality turned boxer.
Since beginning his professional boxing career in 2020, the YouTuber has openly expressed his ambitious goal of competing for a cruiserweight world championship.
To be eligible for a world title shot, however, a boxer must typically be included in the global rankings published by major sanctioning bodies like the WBC and WBA.
Paul asserts that these two prominent boxing organizations plan to rank him should he emerge victorious against the former middleweight world champion, Chavez Jr, in their upcoming bout on Saturday.
Paul stated: “My objective is to become a world champion, and both the WBA and WBC intend to rank me based on my performance. Once I have a ranking, I can aim for a title opportunity. He [Chavez Jr] is a formidable opponent and a former world champion. This ten-round fight is an excellent test to prepare me for what I ultimately hope will be a world championship fight one day.”
According to WBC rules, a contender must be ranked within the top 15 of their division to be considered for a shot at the world title, which is currently held by Badou Jack in the 200lb cruiserweight division.
The WBA assesses boxers for rankings based on several factors, including their fight record, recent activity, and the quality of opponents they have faced.
Furthermore, the WBA typically requires a boxer to have participated in at least two ten-round fights to be considered for a ranking. The fight against Chavez Jr is scheduled to be Paul`s second professional bout at this distance.
Despite these requirements and the fact that Paul`s only loss came against Tommy Fury, who was ranked outside the WBC`s top 30 cruiserweights in 2023, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that a win over Chavez Jr would lead him to consider Paul for a ranking.
Speaking to Action Network, Sulaiman commented: “My personal opinion is yes, we do have a rankings committee, but I believe he has done enough and has faced all the criticism for several years. If he defeats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, I think that puts him in a different position.”
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: Fight Preview
Jake Paul`s controversial journey in boxing continues this weekend as the `Problem Child` steps into the ring with a name from boxing royalty, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, in Anaheim, California.
Paul will face Chavez Jr, a highly-regarded former middleweight world champion. The 39-year-old Mexican fighter has had limited activity recently, fighting only once in the last four years. However, his professional boxing resume is the most decorated of any opponent Paul has faced, with the exception of the exhibition match against 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Additional Information:
- Everything you need to know about the Paul vs Chavez Jr fight.
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- Background on Chavez Jr: son of the legendary boxer, past legal issues, and being robbed by party guests.
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Oliver Croft