Jake Paul's World Title Dreams: Is He Ready and Who's Next?

Jake Paul secured a dominant victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., winning by unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight bout. This win has fueled speculation about his potential to contend for a world title.

While Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) has publicly stated his ambition to become a world champion, his relative inexperience remains a factor. He only has one amateur fight under his belt, and the bout against Chavez was only his 13th professional fight. The level of competition he has faced has also been questioned. Throughout his career, he has primarily fought former MMA fighters, boxing journeymen, another YouTuber, a retired NBA player, and Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion nearly 60 years old.

Chavez possesses experience, but he is past his prime. Despite this, Paul's victory represents the most significant win of his career, displaying improvements since his defeat by Tommy Fury in 2023.

If Paul aims to compete for a cruiserweight world title, his potential opponents include WBC champion Badou Jack, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (who defended his WBA and WBO titles), and IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia. The WBA and WBC have hinted that a strong performance from Paul could lead to a ranking by their organizations, but there have been no comments from the IBF and WBO.

"I don't care, bro," Paul stated after his fight. "I got a bunch of time. I'm 28 years old. I'll fight anyone, anytime, any place."

Given the current landscape, what are the realistic options for Paul, and against whom would he have the best chance of success?

Analyzing Potential Opponents

1. Badou Jack

Jack has held the WBC title since February 2023, with one title defense in May against Noel Mikaelian. A fight with Paul could potentially occur by the end of 2025. Despite being 41, Jack's experience makes him a formidable opponent. Among the current champions, Jack represents the most achievable option for Paul. While a significant step up in competition, Paul would have a reach advantage and seems to have adapted to fighting cruiserweights. This doesn't mean Jack is the "easiest" opponent, but he is the most likely if Paul seeks a world title.

2. Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez

Ramirez, 34, secured a hard-fought victory over former champion Yuniel Dorticos and maintains an undefeated record in the cruiserweight division. Although the performance lacked some impressiveness, "Zurdo" faced a former champion and finished strong. Ramirez possesses considerable skill, effectively combining punches and neutralizing opponents with his defense. With the WBA's interest in ranking Paul, Ramirez is a viable option. However, Ramirez seems more inclined towards a unification bout with Opetaia, which appears to be the more likely path, despite a face-off at the post-fight press conference. Ramirez holds size and experience advantages over Paul, making him a significant favorite. But the WBA has been known to make questionable decisions, so a fight with Paul cannot be ruled out.

3. Jai Opetaia

Opetaia, 29, is a top fighter in the cruiserweight division, possessing both speed and power. He is a devastating puncher in his prime, presenting a difficult matchup for Paul at this stage. Given the IBF's lack of interest in ranking Paul, this potential championship fight is the least likely. It also poses the toughest challenge, and Paul would need extensive additional experience before considering it. Opetaia's lower popularity with American audiences may also diminish the risk-reward ratio for Paul.

Most Realistic Next Opponent: Tommy Fury

A rematch with Fury in a non-title fight is a more realistic scenario for Paul, who has shown marked improvement since their first encounter. Now is the opportune moment to avenge that loss. Paul's team has consistently cited Fury's excessive asking price as an obstacle to a rematch, but Fury's options are becoming increasingly limited. A fight between them would generate significant interest due to the compelling narrative. If the two sides can reach an agreement, this is the most appropriate fight to pursue if Paul cannot secure a bout with a world champion.