Jake Paul has been targeted by top boxers such as Daniel Dubois, Artur Beterbiev and Kevin Lerena for world title fights – simply incredible!
It sounds like a scenario from another world: several reigning world champions, including IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, undisputed light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev and bridgerweight world champion Kevin Lerena, are offering Jake Paul world title fights.
It all started with Daniel Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, who surprisingly congratulated Paul by e-mail – not only on his victory over Mike Tyson, but also with a challenge for the world championship belt. Paul responded in his typically sharp manner: “He’s been boxing for twelve years, has over 100 fights in the amateurs and pros, but he’s fighting on my show. (…) I’ll get the promoters to negotiate and put you in the line of succession. Unlike Artur Beterbiev, at least you have a few thousand fans.”
More offers for Paul – WM fight sanctioned
Dubois is not the only one after Paul. Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light heavyweight champion, contacted Paul twice to suggest a voluntary title defense against the social media star. “Let’s do it,” Beterbiev let him know. Kevin Lerena, the WBC bridgerweight champion, also joined in and offered Paul a title fight. And as if that wasn’t enough, the WBA has already sanctioned a world title fight in the bridger between Paul and Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez.
Jake Paul seems to be not only a social media phenomenon, but also a magnet for the financial side of boxing. His rapid rise has established boxing stars queuing up to fight him. Not least because of the enormous income that a fight against the 27-year-old could generate.
Text by Robin Josten