In Anaheim, California, Jake Paul secured his most significant victory yet by defeating former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via a comfortable unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight bout.
Paul, holding a professional record of 12-1 with 7 knockouts, has openly stated his ambition to become a world champion. His recent win over Chavez Jr. brings him closer to this goal. Nevertheless, Paul remains quite green in the sport, having competed in only one amateur bout and the victory over Chavez being just his 13th professional contest. The quality of his opponents is frequently cited as a concern. Thus far, his career opponents have included former mixed martial artists, a couple of veteran boxing pros, a fellow online personality, a retired basketball player, and a former heavyweight icon nearing 60, Mike Tyson.
While Chavez possesses experience, he is widely considered past his peak and has faced challenges with inactivity and maintaining competitive form. Despite this, Paul achieved his most notable win and showcased improvements in his technique, indicating development since his only professional defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023.
Should Paul pursue a world title in the cruiserweight division, potential opponents holding championships include Badou Jack (WBC), Gilberto `Zurdo` Ramirez (WBA and WBO, who defended his titles on the same card), and Jai Opetaia (IBF). The WBA and WBC sanctioning bodies have hinted that a strong showing could lead to Paul being ranked, though the IBF and WBO have not commented on this possibility.
During his post-fight interview, Paul stated, “I don`t care, bro. I`ve got plenty of time. I`m 28 years old. I`ll fight anybody, any time, anywhere.”
Considering the current situation, what is the most realistic next step for Paul, and which champion offers him the best chance of success?
1. Badou Jack
Jack claimed the WBC belt in February 2023 by stopping Ilunga Makabu, but has defended it only once, against Noel Mikaelian in May. A matchup with Paul could potentially align by late 2025. Despite being 41, Jack`s extensive experience makes him a formidable opponent. Among the current champions, Jack appears to be the most feasible target for Paul. While fighting Jack would represent a significant jump in competition for Paul, he would benefit from a reach advantage and seems to be adapting to the physical demands of the cruiserweight class. This isn`t to suggest Jack is an easy fight, but rather the most probable path if Paul aims for a world championship.
2. Gilberto `Zurdo` Ramirez
The 34-year-old Ramirez secured a tough decision win against former champion Yuniel Dorticos on Saturday and remains undefeated in the cruiserweight division. While not his most dominant showing, `Zurdo` navigated a challenge from a heavy hitter and established control in the later rounds. Despite a sluggish start, Ramirez is a highly skilled boxer, capable of effective punch combinations and using his guard to shut down opponents. Given the WBA`s potential interest in ranking Paul, Ramirez is a possible opponent for the former YouTube star. However, Ramirez appears more focused on a unification fight against Opetaia, which seems the more probable scenario, despite a brief face-off with Paul at the post-fight press conference. Ramirez holds advantages in size and experience over the younger Paul, who would likely be a considerable underdog. Nevertheless, given the WBA`s history of unexpected decisions, it wouldn`t be entirely shocking if a fight with Paul were mandated.
3. Jai Opetaia
At 29, Opetaia is widely regarded as the premier fighter in the cruiserweight class. Possessing both speed and power, he is a formidable puncher in his prime – a potentially devastating stylistic matchup for Paul at this stage. Since the IBF has not indicated any willingness to rank Paul, this title shot is the least likely among the potential championship bouts. It also represents the most difficult challenge; Paul would require considerably more ring experience before contemplating such a step up. Opetaia`s relatively lower profile among American viewers also means the potential financial reward for Paul might not currently justify the high risk.
Most Likely Immediate Next Opponent: Tommy Fury
A non-title rematch against Tommy Fury appears to be a more probable next step for Paul, who has shown significant improvement since their previous encounter. This timing feels appropriate for Paul to seek revenge for his only loss. While Paul`s camp has consistently cited Fury`s high financial demands as a barrier, Fury himself has limited alternative high-profile opportunities at this point. A rematch would generate considerable interest due to the existing narrative. Provided both parties can reach an agreement, this fight makes sense, especially if Paul is unable to immediately secure a world championship challenge.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow