Influencer-Turned-Boxer Calls Out Top Names, Raises Questions About His Place in Professional Boxing

In a one-sided cruiserweight contest, Jake Paul outpointed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with a unanimous decision, securing his 12th professional boxing win. The 28-year-old American influencer-turned-boxer controlled the fight with a flurry of jabs and hooks, leaving the 39-year-old former middleweight world champion looking lost and refusing to fight back.

Chavez, who has struggled with discipline and motivation throughout his career, barely threw a punch in the early rounds, allowing Paul to dictate the pace of the contest. The Mexican fighter’s corner urged him to “let his hands go,” but he stared vacantly into the distance, seemingly resigned to defeat.

Paul, who has now won 12 professional fights, was awarded the victory with scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92. He cupped his ears as jeers rained down from the sold-out Honda Center in Anaheim, California, before calling out some of the sport’s biggest names, including former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and lightweight world champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.

The victory raises familiar questions about the level of Paul’s opponents and his place in professional boxing. While he has brought a new audience to the sport and has shown commitment to training, his callouts often ignore weight classes and his wins over aging fighters like Mike Tyson and Chavez do little to boost his credibility in the ring.

Paul has suggested that he is ready to challenge WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez or WBC belt-holder Badou Jack, but the question remains whether he deserves a world title shot. The WBA and WBC have hinted that they may include him in their rankings, but boxing purists view a title shot as the culmination of years of relentless hard work, dedication, and climbing the ranks.

For now, Paul’s focus is on finding tougher opponents, but it remains to be seen whether he has the skills and determination to succeed in the sport’s top echelons. His promoter, Most Valuable Promotions, has been instrumental in supporting women’s boxing, and Paul has shown a willingness to take on tough opponents. However, his decision to face aging fighters like Tyson and Chavez has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether he is taking the easy route to success.

In the post-fight interview, Paul claimed that he had only been hit 10 times during the contest, and that he had dominated the fight from start to finish. However, his opponent, Chavez, was more subdued, stating that he plans to continue boxing despite his seventh loss in 61 professional bouts.

The question now is what’s next for Paul. Will he continue to face aging fighters, or will he take on the sport’s top talent? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Jake Paul is a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional boxing.