Is Jake Paul prepared for a world title struggle? Who’s his best choice?

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jake Paul picked up his greatest win in opposition to an skilled opponent by cruising previous former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with a unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight struggle.

Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has made clear his intentions to develop into a world champion, and the win over Chavez has pushed him nearer to seeing his dream materialize. Nevertheless, Paul continues to be comparatively inexperienced, with just one struggle as an newbie and his win in opposition to Chavez being simply the thirteenth of his skilled profession. The extent of competitors that he has confronted can also be a priority. His profession has been spent going through former MMA fighters, two boxing journeymen, a fellow YouTuber, a retired NBA participant and a virtually 60-year-old former heavyweight champion in Mike Tyson.

Chavez is skilled, however he’s properly previous his prime and has struggled to remain energetic and aggressive. Nonetheless, Paul earned the most important win of his profession and demonstrated a number of new wrinkles to a recreation that’s displaying progress since he suffered his lone loss to Tommy Fury in 2023.

If Paul needs to struggle for a cruiserweight world title, his choices are WBC champion Badou Jack, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who defended his WBA and WBO belts within the co-main occasion, and Jai Opetaia, the IBF titleholder. Each the WBA and WBC have instructed that a powerful efficiency from Paul may see him ranked by the sanctioning our bodies, whereas there was no phrase from the IBF and the WBO.

“I do not care, bro,” Paul mentioned throughout his postfight interview. “I received a bunch of time. I am 28 years outdated. I am going to struggle anybody, anytime, anyplace.”

Given the circumstances, what’s realistically subsequent for Paul and who does he have the most effective probability in opposition to?

1. Badou Jack

Jack has held the WBC title since February 2023, when he stopped Ilunga Makabu, however he has made only one protection — in opposition to Noel Mikaelian in Might. The timeline may match up for a struggle with Paul by the tip of 2025, and though Jack is 41, he stays a harmful choice due to his expertise. Of all of the champions, Jack would current essentially the most sensible choice for Paul. As for the problem, it might be a large step up for Paul, however he would have a attain benefit and has appeared to acclimate to the dimensions of fellow cruiserweights. This isn’t to say Jack is the “best” opponent, however he’s the almost certainly choice if Paul hopes to win a world title.

2. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez

A NEW challenger within the ring 👀🥊

Might @jakepaul vs. @ZurdoRamirezz be subsequent on the cardboard ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/tEEAyJBphc

— Most Precious Promotions (@MostVpromotions) June 29, 2025

Ramirez, 34, gained a hard-fought choice over former champion Yuniel Dorticos on Saturday and is undefeated at cruiserweight. Though it wasn’t his most spectacular efficiency, “Zurdo” confronted a former hard-hitting champion and pulled away late. Do not be fooled by Ramirez’s gradual begin and mediocre efficiency. He is extremely expert, with the power to place collectively punches and successfully neutralize his opponent together with his guard. Contemplating the WBA is serious about rating Paul, Ramirez is an choice for the previous YouTuber. Ramirez appears to be extra serious about a unification bout with Opetaia than going through Paul, and that appears to be the almost certainly route, despite the fact that the 2 performed an impromptu staredown on the postfight information convention. Ramirez has dimension and expertise on his facet in opposition to the youthful Paul, who would in all probability be a big underdog. However the WBA has made questionable selections previously, so it would not be that a lot of a shock if the struggle with Paul was ordered.

3. Jai Opetaia

Opetaia, 29, is the category of the cruiserweight division. He has velocity and energy on his facet. He is a violent puncher coming into his prime years and a nightmare matchup for Paul at this level. The IBF hasn’t expressed any curiosity in rating Paul, so that is essentially the most unlikely of the potential championship fights for Paul. It additionally presents the stiffest problem, and Paul would wish considerably extra seasoning within the ring earlier than he steps as much as the problem. Opetaia will not be as standard with American audiences, so the danger versus reward might not be value it for Paul simply but.

Most certainly subsequent opponent: Tommy Fury

A rematch with Fury — in a nontitle struggle — is a extra sensible choice for Paul, who has improved by leaps and bounds because the final time they fought. The time is true for the loss to be avenged. Paul’s group has routinely acknowledged that Fury’s asking worth was too high for a rematch, however Fury’s choices are few and much between at this level in his profession. The struggle could be a big draw with a powerful storyline. So long as the 2 sides can come to phrases, that is the correct struggle to make if Paul can’t safe one with a world champion.