Jake Paul is on the verge of a shock world title shot after the WBA ranked him in the top 15 of their cruiserweight ratings.
Paul, the controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer overcame former middleweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on points in Anaheim on Saturday to secure his 12th professional victory.
‘The Problem Child’ has been targeting a clash with Zurdo Ramirez, who retained his WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles against Yuniel Dorticos on the undercard.
This once unthinkable possibility has moved closer to a reality with the WBA ranking the 28-year-old at #14, meaning Ramirez will likely have the option to make a voluntary defence of his WBA crown against the Ohio man.
The pair faced off following the post-fight press conference on Saturday and Paul felt he had done enough to earn a ranking after his dominant display against Chavez Jr.
“I think that people got to see more of a skillset from me tonight and some of the things that I’ve been working on,” Paul said.
“And my toughness, the cardio, all of these things.
“So I think going 10 rounds was great experience for me under the lights and I think it could lead to a really good ranking, because of what I was able to display.
“Really from my memory he was only really able to hit me probably like eight good times in a 10-round fight.
“So it was pretty good.”
Paul secured a sixth straight win since a sole professional defeat to Tommy Fury in February 2023.
‘El Gallo’ beat 58-year-old, former undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson in his last outing before Chavez Jr.
As well as Ramirez, Paul called for clashes with Anthony Joshua and Gervonta Davis, whom he almost faced prior to the Baltimore man’s draw with Lamont Roach Jr in March, with the pair now set to rematch on August 16 in Las Vegas.
Chavez Jr claimed he would retire with defeat to Paul, but appeared to retract those comments after the bout.
“I’m not thinking about retiring,” the 39-year-old told Fight Hub TV.
“Because in my head, it’s my first real good fight in maybe four years, so that’s motivating me.
“Like you still have 10 rounds, it was a close, hard fight.
“I know it wasn’t an elite performance, but it’s good for a start, so I want to continue to train like this fight, but stay active.”
