Jake Paul has everyone’s attention in the boxing world, including current and former world champions in boxing and MMA.
Since Paul scored a unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson on November 15, the callouts have come from far and wide. It’s possible the Problem Child’s next opponent could be one of the individuals who have challenged him.
The following five current or former combat sports world champions have called Paul out.
Artur Beterbiev
The reigning undisputed light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, offered to face Paul but was mostly ignored. Beterbiev is one of the scariest fighters in boxing, and he would be a massive favorite to destroy Paul if the two men were to meet in the ring.
Paul would probably never publicly admit it, but this is a fight he’d never take, as it would put him in a tough position. Despite the massive advantage Beterbiev would have in skills and experience, he is nowhere near as well-known as Paul. Unfortunately, that makes him the B-side. Paul isn’t fighting anyone who is a B-side and poses a major threat.
If he were to take a dangerous fight, it would be against a fighter who has a much larger following than Beterbiev.
Daniel Dubois
The reigning IBF heavyweight champion called Paul out in a direct message.
Dubois was able to get a response, but this fight is also highly unlikely for the same reasons we aren’t going to see Paul vs. Beterbiev.
Dubois is even bigger, being a natural heavyweight, and he’s younger. At 27, Dubois is in his prime as a fighter, which makes him even more dangerous.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Here’s where we get into the more realistic options. Chavez Jr. has the name recognition as a former world champion and the son of a boxing legend. Chavez Jr. called Paul out on Instagram, and some reports suggest the two sides are in negotiations. Of all the fights listed here, this one makes the most sense.
Chavez Jr. is a shadow of the fighter he was during the peak of his career around 2011. At 38, Chavez Jr. is 20 years younger than Tyson and still an opponent Paul would have a great chance to defeat.
Andre Ward
The former pound-for-pound king didn’t technically call Paul out, but he did say that if the Problem Child mentioned his name, he would have to consider it. Ward hasn’t boxed in seven years, but he’s only 40 years old and doesn’t appear to have allowed himself to stray too far out of shape.
Ward was the kind of masterful boxer who could potentially befuddle Paul given the opportunity. However, Ward has never been a major self-promoter, and the risk-reward (no pun intended) may not be worth it for Paul.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Rampage presents an interesting concept. Forget the part about doing it “for no pay”—that won’t happen, nor should it. Jackson’s prime in MMA happened more than a decade ago.
He’s 46 years old, and the last time he competed was in December 2019, when he lost via first-round KO to Fedor Emelianenko. Paul would likely be a noticeable favorite against Rampage in a boxing match, and the build-up for this fight would be very entertaining.
Rampage is one of the greatest personalities in combat sports history, and he would do his part to promote the fight and make it a spectacle. Unless Paul is done fighting mixed martial artists, I’d say this one has some potential.
