Oscar De La Hoya has shared his verdict on whether he believes Jake Paul can go on to win a world title.
Paul made his return to the ring last Saturday night, outpointing Mexico’s former WBC world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
It was the 28-year-old’s first ring appearance since he got the better of 59-year-old heavyweight legend ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson in their controversial bout at the AT&T Stadium in Texas last November.
Victory over Chavez has officially secured Paul a legitimate cruiserweight world ranking, after it was revealed earlier this week that ‘The Problem Child’ had been ranked at number 14 with the WBA, a decision that has received criticism from fans and critics around the globe.
Speaking to Boxing News, legendary fighter-turned-promoter De La Hoya gave plaudits to Paul as he claims he believes the controversial American has a ‘real, real shot’ at becoming a world champion.
“He has a real, real shot at winning a world title.”
The ‘Golden Boy’ went on to talk about Paul’s genius promotion strategy.
“I think Jake Paul is such a genius in luring in Canelo that he had Canelo actually talk about Jake Paul so that’s a genius move from him. I think that Jake is doing the right moves for his career and I strongly feel that he is serious about boxing for the first time.”
Paul is said to be targeting a showdown with reigning unified world cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who currently holds the WBA and WBO titles at 200lbs, making the most recent defence of his crown against Yuniel Dorticos on the undercard of Paul’s win over Chavez on June 28.
