Jake Paul‘s return to the ring is set to be announced shortly.
The YouTuber-turned-fighter has built an 11-1 record in his boxing campaign, with notable wins coming over former MMA stars including Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. His sole loss came to Tommy Fury, brother of former two-time heavyweight champion Tyson, and Paul’s most traditional test in the sport.
Late last year, the 28-year-old controversially brought Mike Tyson out of a near two decade retirement for an eight round fight. Paul cruised to a unanimous decision win.
In searching for his next opportunity, the man from Cleveland, Ohio had talks with both Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gervonta Davis fall through. It is now reported by The Ring’s Mike Coppinger that Paul will face off with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a former middleweight world champion and son of Mexican fighting legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
The WBA president Gilberto Mendoza has made it clear in the past that he would like to see the fight take place for some sort of title. The last time that idea was presented in December, Paul said it was not for him.
“I want someone tougher. And I want a real belt. Not just something put up for entertainment value, so, it’s great and all but honestly he’s easy work and I want someone tougher to shut people up.”
Chavez lost his most high profile bout in 2017 when he faced Canelo. He later failed to make weight for a fight with Danny Jacobs and controversially quit the contest in round five after claiming a broken nose – a stunt that angered fans, who began throwing beer cans into the ring.
Since then his career, Chavez Jr’s campaign has been stop-start in higher weight classes and marred with issues outside of the ropes. Most recently, he fought former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in July 2024 after three years of inactivity and won a unanimous decision. Prior to that, he lost to Anderson Silva, who Paul then beat.
The fight is expected for summer with an announcement to make it official in the coming days.
