Jake Paul’s WBA Ranking Exposes Everything Wrong With Modern Boxing originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Boxing has always had its carnival acts, but never before has one been handed a direct path to a world title without facing a single active, ranked boxer. Boxing’s history is littered with questionable decisions, but this one might be the most blatant cash grab yet.
Jake Paul, the polarizing YouTuber-turned-boxer, has officially entered the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) cruiserweight rankings at No. 14 following his unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. over the weekend.
The win, which improved Paul’s record to 12-1 (7 KOs), fulfilled a pre-fight promise by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza, who told boxing journalist Lance Pugmire that a victory would earn Paul a spot in the top 15.
By ranking him, the WBA has greenlit a potential title fight against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez—a legitimate champion who just defended his belt against a proven contender, Yuniel Dorticos
“The Problem Child’s” ascent into the rankings marks a significant milestone in his unorthodox boxing career, which began as a series of celebrity exhibitions before evolving into professional bouts.
Even this most recent victory is questionable, as Chavez Jr. was in rehab for mental health issues as recently as last year.
Before the fight, Paul’s resume lacked the credibility of a traditional contender and was filled with opponents like the 58-year-old Mike Tyson, in addition to a slew of retired MMA fighters. His lone loss came against Tommy Fury, a mediocre pro boxer who gained popularity not for his actual skills, but for his relationship as the half-brother of former heavyweight king Tyson Fury.
Despite this fact, Paul’s undeniable drawing power has kept his boxing career alive. Paul’s fights generate pay-per-view numbers, and it is clear that this move by the WBA is an example of the sanctioning body prioritizing money over merit.
Rather than have Paul prove himself against a legitimate top-15 cruiserweight, the WBA has decided that facing faded names and MMA fighters is enough to grant him a ranking.
Paul will likely get his title shot and further blur the line between sports and entertainment.
Related: UFC Legend Who Knocked Out Ronda Rousey Signs With Jake Paul’s Boxing Promotion
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.