Jake Paul is planning on a late-2025 boxing return as he takes another step toward a world title shot — even as his WBA ranking comes under fire.
Paul, who was named No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight rankings after his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., is technically in line to challenge Gilberto Ramirez for the belt. The plans have already started as well, with the two facing off after sharing a card in California last month.
But that ranking is now up for review ahead of next week’s ranking committee meeting in Madrid. And while Ramirez is the WBA titleholder, Paul’s team have made clear that their real target is WBC champion Badou Jack, who is 41 and better known for his super-middleweight days.
Jake Paul’s business partner says he will fight again in 2025
Paul’s recent fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr came after plans for a crossover bout with Canelo Alvarez fell through. With Chavez’s profile helping Paul secure his WBA ranking, the next step in his career has become a topic of speculation.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Jake Paul’s business partner and Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian confirmed that Paul’s next fight is being targeted for later this year, though no opponent has been finalised.
“Absolutely 100 percent,” Bidarian said when asked if Paul would fight again this year. “November, December. I’m seeing him for dinner tonight and we’ll have that conversation [about who is the frontrunner for his opponent].
“The only possibility right now is that Jake wants to fight for a belt as soon as possible. That’s the real critical factor. I’ve got to talk to him.
“I think it’s tough this year because Badou Jack who he wants to fight more so than anyone has a mandatory rematch with the guy he just beat for the WBC. I don’t know if this year is possible [for the title fight] but we’ll see.”
Jake Paul dreams of world title shot
Paul’s growing seriousness about a world title campaign is becoming more evident. Aside from his WBA ranking, he has also initiated discussions with other sanctioning bodies, including the WBC.
Badou Jack appears to be the champion he is most interested in pursuing, having previously shared a card with him the same night he fought Tommy Fury. Critics argue that Jack fits Paul’s preferred opponent profile given his age and stronger reputation at super-middleweight than cruiserweight.
“I want tougher fighters, I want to be world champion,” Paul said in his post-fight interview at the Honda Center last month. However, he named a wide-ranging list of potential opponents, including Gervonta Davis, Anthony Joshua and a rematch with Tommy Fury.
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