Jake Paul could get a world title shot against 48-1 champion after win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

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Jake Paul’s boxing journey took another major step forward this weekend.

Jake Paul’s boxing journey reached another milestone on Saturday night, as he defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision.

The win – with final scores of 97–93, 97–93 and 98–92 – made him eligible for a world title shot, as he is now ranked inside the WBA’s top 15 at cruiserweight.

It could lead Paul to an unexpected fight against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who won Yuniel Dorticos by unanimous decision on Saturday. The Mexican has an impressive boxing record: 48 wins and just 1 defeat.

Speaking after the win against Chavez, Paul said: “That’s why I took this fight. I’m not playing. Everyone around me was gunna not take this fight. So I said, ‘f*** it. Everybody is signed up for war,’ so I went and did it. This s*** isn’t easy, the weight on my shoulders, the pressure.”

Jake Paul earns top 15 ranking after win over Julio César Chávez Jr

Before the fight, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza told boxing reporter Lance Pugmire that a win would see Paul added to the organisation’s great rankings.

Mendoza said: “If Jake Paul wins tonight, he will be elevated into a WBA ranking, making him eligible for a title shot at the champion – whether that’s Gilberto Ramirez or Yuniel Dorticos.”

It didn’t take long for the pair to start building hype, as Paul and Ramirez faced off backstage at the Honda Center shortly after their respective wins. There’s still paperwork to be signed, but both camps appear ready to make the fight next.

• READ MORE: Jake Paul delivers heartfelt message for Ben Askren after Julio Cesar Chavez Jr victory

Jake Paul’s six-man hit list

Ramirez wasn’t originally on Paul’s list of dream opponents. Before the fight with Chávez Jr., Paul named six fighters he wanted in the ring: “After Chávez, I think Gervonta Davis, Anthony Joshua, KSI, Tommy Fury, Ryan Garcia, Badou Jack.”

A fight with Ramirez wouldn’t just come with a massive payday – it would give Paul the shot at history he’s been chasing. Winning a world title would silence many of his critics and cement his place in the sport.