Former heavyweight boxing champion calls out Jake Paul for cruiserweight title fight

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Jake Paul has been called out by one of the sport’s most iconic figures, though don’t expect him to answer.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is now ranked inside the WBA’s top 15 cruiserweights following his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. last week. That makes him eligible to challenge Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for the world title, and interest in securing a fight with Paul is coming from all angles.

One of those names is Roy Jones Jr., who remains active well beyond his championship prime. Yet given the controversy that followed his exhibition against Mike Tyson last year, Paul is likely to look elsewhere.

Roy Jones Jr shares his thoughts on a potential cruiserweight title fight with Jake Paul

Roy Jones Jr has been following Jake Paul’s career closely. The social media star appeared on Jones’ undercard when he fought Tyson in 2020, and now Jones wants to share the ring with him.

During a recent appearance at the IBA convention, Jones predicted that Paul was only two fights away from a world title shot and suggested that they both could fight for the belt.

“I’ll tell you what, you know what would be thrilling. See, I should be a boxing promoter, I do some but they don’t let you in the big lane like that. But the best thing would be Jake Paul in the position, Roy Jones Jr has two or three fights to come back and he never got the real cruiserweight world title.

“Jake Paul wants that cruiserweight, real world title. Wow… Somebody vacates and they fight for a vacant world cruiserweight title.”

Jake Paul opens up about earning cruiserweight ranking

Since his win over Tyson, Paul has started to build a professional record with wins over opponents who, while not household names, had strong records. He defeated Ryan Bourland (17-2) and Andre August (10-1-1) before taking on Chavez Jr.

Those victories, along with his win over former middleweight champion Chavez Jr, were enough to earn him a spot in the WBA rankings.

• READ MORE: Former heavyweight world champion hits out at Jake Paul over Anthony Joshua callout: ‘You are crazy’

Paul reflected on his achievement in a post on X, writing: “I’ve worked hard to get here but there is nothing to celebrate.

“Long road ahead and I’m more committed to it every single day. I may veer off the path now and again, but being a world champion is my desired ultimate destination.”