Jake Paul Wins Over Chavez Jr, Eyes Dazn Boxing Rankings
Paul's victory over Chavez Jr has significant implications for his career, as he seeks to establish himself as a credible boxer and potentially secure a ranking with the WBC or WBA, which could lead to a world title shot and a lucrative fight on a platform like Dazn.
Jake Paul, a 28-year-old YouTube influencer-turned-boxer, defeated former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by unanimous decision in a cruiserweight fight in Anaheim, California, with judges' scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92.
The victory marks Paul's sixth consecutive win and improves his record to 12-1 with seven knockouts. Paul used his size and reach advantage to control the fight, landing more effective shots and dictating the pace. Chavez Jr, 39, showed signs of resurgence in the middle rounds but was ultimately outperformed by Paul. The crowd's disapproval was likely due to Paul's perceived lack of skill and Chavez Jr's poor performance.
Paul's win has sparked speculation that he may enter the WBC rankings, with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman stating that the committee will consider ranking Paul if he defeats Chavez convincingly. Paul has now won 12 pro fights and is calling out bigger names, including WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez and WBC belt-holder Badou Jack. He has also hinted that he could be ranked by the WBC or WBA, which could lead to a world title shot.
However, boxing purists question the level of his opponents and his place in professional boxing, and some argue that he must move beyond fighting faded names and former MMA stars to earn genuine respect in the sport. Paul's next move will be closely watched, as he aims to advance toward a cruiserweight ranking and potentially secure a fight with a top-ranked opponent on a platform like Dazn.
The boxing world will be watching Paul's next steps, as he navigates the complexities of professional boxing and seeks to prove himself as a legitimate contender. With his sights set on a world title shot, Paul will need to continue to perform at a high level and demonstrate his skills against top-tier opponents.