Jake Paul's Latest Scheme: Boxing Bodies Actually Consider Ranking Him After Chavez Jr Fight

By Lewis Barnett 25 June, 2025 5 mins read 110 Views

Look, I've been covering boxing for eight years now, and I thought I'd seen everything. But here we are in 2025, and Jake Paul is apparently one win away from getting ranked by the WBC and WBA.

The YouTube star turned professional boxer claims both organizations will hand him an official ranking if he beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this Saturday. Which, honestly, feels like watching your little brother convince your parents he deserves the car keys.

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The Audacity Is Actually Working

Paul's been vocal about his cruiserweight championship dreams since turning pro in 2020. Five years ago, that would've been laughable. Now? I'm not so sure. The kid's got serious backing, serious money, and apparently serious consideration from boxing's most established sanctioning bodies.

"My goal is to become world champion and the WBA and WBC plan on ranking me depending on my performance," Paul stated during the press conference. "Once I'm ranked I can go for the title shot."

The confidence is... something else.

How This Actually Works (Because Nobody Explains It)

Here's the deal with rankings - and trust me, I had to dig into the WBC rulebook for this one. You need to be in their top 15 to even sniff a title shot. Badou Jack currently holds the cruiserweight belt at 200 pounds, and he's not exactly losing sleep over Jake Paul right now.

The WBA evaluates fighters based on their record, activity, and opponent quality. They also require at least two ten-round fights for ranking consideration. This Chavez Jr bout would be Paul's second scheduled ten-rounder, so he's technically checking that box.

But here's where it gets interesting (and slightly ridiculous).

The Tommy Fury Problem

Paul hasn't actually beaten anyone ranked by either organization. His biggest loss? Tommy Fury in 2023, who was ranked 39th by the WBC at cruiserweight. Not exactly elite company, but it's something.

My colleague bet me $50 that Paul would never get ranked by a major sanctioning body. I'm starting to think I might owe him dinner.

Even the WBC President Is Considering It

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Action Network something that made me do a double-take: "If he beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, I think that puts him in a different position."

Sulaiman added that Paul "has done enough and he has received all the backlash for several years." Which sounds suspiciously like sympathy rankings, but what do I know?

The man's not wrong about the backlash though. Paul's been getting roasted by traditional boxing fans since day one. Maybe that's finally working in his favor.

What This Means for Boxing

Look, I'm torn on this whole thing.

On one hand, Paul brings eyeballs to a sport that desperately needs them. His fights generate massive PPV numbers, and he's introduced a whole generation to boxing. That's not nothing.

On the other hand, we're talking about potentially ranking someone who's never beaten a legitimate contender. It feels like participation trophy territory, but with million-dollar purses.

The Chavez Jr fight is actually a decent test though. Sure, Julio's past his prime and has been for years, but he's still a former world champion with legitimate credentials. If Paul can handle ten rounds against him convincingly, maybe - and I mean maybe - he deserves consideration.

Either way, Saturday's fight just got a lot more interesting than I expected when I first saw it announced back in March.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does boxing take to become proficient?

The time it takes to become proficient in boxing varies widely among individuals, depending on factors such as natural ability, consistency in training, quality of instruction, and dedication to practice. On average, with regular training, you could see significant improvement in your basic skills within a few months.

What should I do as a novice in boxing?

As a novice, you should concentrate on learning the correct form and technique. It is important to master the basics of punching, develop a solid defense, improve your footwork and condition. Start slowly, prioritize technique over power, and seek guidance from a knowledgeable coach.

How do I wrap hands for boxing?

Hand wrapping helps protect your wrists and fingers from injury. Unwind the wraps, place the thumb loop on your thumb and extend the wrap to the back of your hands. Then, wrap your wrist multiple times. Wrap the Velcro around your wrist, crisscrossing your fingers and covering your knuckles.

What is breathing important in boxing?

Breathing correctly is important in boxing. It can help regulate energy, keep stamina up, and relax you during a fight or training. Exhale sharply after each punch. Breathe rhythmically by inhaling and exhaling with your nose.

What is the difference between amateur and professional boxing?

Amateur boxing is typically focused more on the sport aspect, with an emphasis on skill, technique, and points scored rather than knockouts. It is usually shorter and requires headgear. Professional boxing is a full time career that involves longer rounds and no headgear. It also places a higher emphasis on power, knockouts, and more powerful punches.

What kind of diet should a beginner boxer follow?

Beginner boxers should eat a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscle growth and repair, healthy fats to increase endurance, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. Water is essential, so make sure you drink plenty before, after, and during your workout.

Statistics

About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.

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How To

How to learn Boxing Combinations

Boxing techniques will help you throw successive punches more effectively. Start with simple two-punch combinations like the jab-cross and practice them repetitively. Continue to add punches and build up longer sequences. Maintaining balance while maintaining fluid movement is important. When you are practicing your combos, shadowboxing can help you to see and correct any mistakes you may have made.