Jake Paul has insisted that the job isn’t finished despite landing a world ranking just five years into his boxing journey.
The social media star first laced up a pair of gloves to train for a white collar fight back in 2018, and turned professional in 2020 after just one outing. Now, after just 13 professional fights including a defeat to Tommy Fury, he is ranked as the number 14 cruiserweight by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
Paul’s ranking has proven controversial in boxing circles, with many arguing that he has yet to win a fight against a legitimate 200lb contender. But he is now fully eligible to fight Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for at least one of his unified belts.
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Jake Paul reacts to being named number 14 cruiserweight by WBA
Jake Paul’s win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday night was far from the biggest fight of his career, or the most exciting. He labored to a points win in front of a sold-out Honda Center in Anaheim, and is now officially ranked after defeating a former world champion, albeit at middleweight.
It followed victories over the lesser-known Ryan Bourland and Andre August, whom he took on in low-key affairs prior to his blockbuster showdown with Mike Tyson last November. While neither Bourland nor August were star names, they had legitimate records of 17-2 and 10-1-1.
“I’ve worked hard to get here but there is nothing to celebrate,” Paul wrote on X after learning the news. “Long road ahead and I’m more committed to it every single day. I may veer off the path now and again, but being a world champion is my desired ultimate destination.”
Jake Paul vs Zurdo Ramirez could legitimately be next fight
While it seems comical to hardcore boxing fans, there is a serious chance that Paul could face Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for his belts next. It is unclear if the WBO would sanction the social media star as a contender, given that he is not ranked at all as a contender for their belt.
But he could take on Ramirez for the WBA title after landing a spot in the top 15 which makes him a legitimate contender for a voluntary title defense. And they even faced off with the former champion on Saturday night at their post-fight press conference following a set of wins in the main and co-main event.
“It was flawless,” Paul said in his post-fight interview after his win. “I think I only got hit 10 times. He just survived and thought I did great. Going 10 rounds against a former world champion who’s never been stopped. He’s in there with Canelo, all of these guys, and I embarrassed him like that.”
“I want tougher fighters and I want to be a world champion. ‘Zurdo’ [Ramirez] looked slow tonight. That’s easy work. I want Badou Jack. Tommy Fury can get it too. Stop running from me, Tommy.”