Jake Paul has been a ranked boxer in one sanctioning body since July 2025.
‘The Problem Child’ had been awarded a WBA #14 ranking, which could set up a world title fight, following his unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Since the fight, he has called out the WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, but also set his sights on a 2026 clash with Anthony Joshua, which has been blasted by Dave Allen and others.
While he may be seriously pursuing a fight against the former unified heavyweight champion, Paul still has his goal of becoming a world champion in mind, which would mean climbing the rankings.
Floyd Mayweather’s protégé does not see Jake Paul fighting a top 10 boxer
British prospect Viddal Riley and former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith are just some of the big names ‘El Gallo’ may have to face to navigate his way to a championship opportunity.
But Floyd Mayweather’s teenage protégé, Curmel Moton, has hit back at any suggestion of the influencer stepping into the ring with one of the world’s ranked competitors.
In an interview with The Main Event, Moton said: “He does not want that smoke at all. I feel like Jake Paul, no discrediting him. He’s just going to keep doing what he’s doing, racking up money and fighting these retired guys, older guys.”
The 19-year-old standout has been making waves of his own in the sport since making his debut in 2023 under the watchful eye of the 50-0 legend ‘Money’ Mayweather.
One of the last fighters under Floyd’s promotion and tutelage was the current lightweight titleholder Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, which could give a glimpse as to Curmel’s prospects.
‘Big Deal’ even dismissed the idea of the former YouTuber’s likelihood of becoming a champion in boxing.
“I don’t really know what he’s trying to do with it. He said he wants to become champion, but we all know that’s not something that’s going to happen,” he said.
Eddie Hearn surprisingly puts Jake Paul as the ‘front-runner’ for Anthony Joshua’s next fight
Even though a world title fight or a bout with a ranked contender in his natural weight division is not currently on the cards, there has been an update regarding a contest with British heavyweight Joshua.
Hearn claimed discussions over the ‘mismatch’ had taken place earlier in the week, and in his media appearances on Friday, he confirmed meetings had progressed much further than expected.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he revealed there is a meeting with Nakisa Bidarian and Most Valuable Promotions.
The promoter said: “This bizarre world that we live in, I think Jake Paul is absolutely the front-runner to fight Anthony Joshua next.
“I’m here in New York for a meeting about that fight… I can’t sit here and tell you this is a 50/50 match-up. The whole thing is bizarre. I think it’s extremely dangerous for Jake Paul.”
Once again, Matchroom’s head honcho warned the American that AJ would ‘evaporate’ him if they faced off and believes it would lead to his swift exit from the sport.