Jake Paul achieved a significant milestone by convincingly defeating former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight match in Anaheim, CA. With this win, Paul expressed his ambition to become a world champion, though his experience remains limited with only one amateur bout and 13 professional fights, facing a mixed level of competition including ex-MMA fighters and retired athletes. Despite Chavez being past his prime and less active, this victory marked the most important of Paul’s career, demonstrating improvements since his 2023 loss to Tommy Fury.
Looking ahead, Paul’s potential world title fights could involve WBC champion Budow Jack, WBA and WBO belt holder Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, or IBF champion Jai Opetaia. Among these, Jack presents the most plausible challenge given his age (41) and experience, making him a realistic target for Paul by late 2025. Ramirez, 34, remains a formidable adversary with his defensive skills and is seen as more focused on unifying titles with Opetaia, although a match with Paul is possible under WBA’s ranking interest. Opetaia, 29, is the toughest contender and an unlikely opponent right now due to his skill level and lack of IBF interest in Paul’s rankings.
If a title shot doesn’t materialize soon, a rematch with Tommy Fury remains a more likely next step for Paul, offering a strong storyline and drawing considerable attention, despite cost concerns from Fury’s side.
Fan Take: Jake Paul’s rising trajectory in boxing is shaking up the traditional landscape, offering fresh matchups and drawing new eyes to the cruiserweight division. His pursuit of a world title could redefine how crossover athletes impact the sport’s competitive and commercial sides, making this a pivotal moment for fighting fans and the future of boxing.
