Jake Paul is on the verge of making his return to the ring.
The 28-year-old Youtuber-turned-boxer clashes with Mexico’s former WBC world super-middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
It will be Paul’s first ring appearance since he defeated 58-year-old heavyweight legend Mike Tyson via unanimous decision at the conclusion of their controversial eight round showdown at the AT&T Stadium in Texas last November.
As he prepares for what could be the toughest test of his boxing career, ‘The Problem Child’ has once again expressed his desire to secure himself a world title shot in the near future, potentially targeting a bout against one of the reigning world cruiserweight champions.
Legendary fighter-turned-promoter Oscar De La Hoya has spoken out ahead of Paul’s return and has shared his thoughts on whether he believes the 28-year-old could actually push towards fighting for a world title at some point.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, De La Hoya was asked if he believes Paul can go on and achieve his career-long dream of becoming a legitimate world champion against all odds.
“I think he can win a world title, it’s obviously gonna take time, that’s all it is gonna take is time and experience so facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, world champion, 12-rounds with Canelo, is experience for him, if he passes that test.
Let’s say he knocks him out in the later rounds. Obviously it’ll be a huge confidence boost for Jake Paul and it’ll silence a lot of doubters, not all of them but it’ll silence a lot of doubters and he can move on to the next challenge, and that next challenge is possibly a top ten [fighter] in the world.”
Whether he decides to pursue a world title shot next or not, ‘The Problem Child’ is also said to be in negotiations for a sensational catchweight bout against reigning WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, with the fighters reportedly in negotiations for a fight that could take place before the end of the year.
