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Jake Paul has firmly planted himself at the intersection of mainstream fame and professional boxing. Despite his non-traditional path into the sport, the controversial YouTuber turned boxer has made significant strides. Recently, Paul has been vocal about his ambitions, stating that he feels ready to face some of the biggest names in boxing—many of whom are already well-established champions.
In a surprising turn of events, Paul was close to finalizing a massive deal to fight Mexican boxing legend Canelo Álvarez in May. However, just before the deal was about to be sealed, a lucrative four-fight offer from Saudi sports mogul Turki Alalshikh entered the picture, putting a halt to those plans. While a fight with Canelo seemed like a major milestone for Paul, it was not the only fight on his radar.
Paul was also reportedly in negotiations to take on WBA lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis in the summer. The potential bout was generating serious buzz, as both fighters are known for their knockout power and brash personalities. But that fight ultimately fell apart when Davis found himself in a highly contentious draw with Lamont Roach earlier this month, derailing the talks for a blockbuster showdown.
Despite the setback with Davis, Paul has not backed down from challenging boxing's elite. He has expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Anthony Joshua, a former heavyweight champion with a history of big wins. "I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know I will f***** beat Anthony Joshua's a***," Paul boldly declared. He criticized Joshua's boxing style, labeling him as lacking a solid chin, skill, and being "stiff" in the ring.
While Paul is eager to face top-tier opponents, he draws a very clear line when it comes to WBC interim light heavyweight champion David Benavidez. In a candid moment on his BS w/ Jake Paul podcast, Paul revealed that he would not entertain a fight with Benavidez. "When my manager is talking about fights, the only no is you," Paul said to Benavidez. "I will not fight this f****** guy. He is a monster, bro. I would f***** die."
The admission comes at a time when Benavidez’s own future in the sport is uncertain. The long-anticipated fight for the undisputed light heavyweight title against Dmitry Bivol now seems unlikely. Benavidez had hoped to secure a clash with the winner of Bivol's recent rematch with Artur Beterbiev. But after Bivol emerged victorious with a majority decision, Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh has shifted his focus away from a Benavidez-Bivol matchup, leaving the WBC interim champ in limbo.
Paul’s outspoken commentary and willingness to call out boxing's biggest stars have earned him both praise and scorn. He has shown confidence in his abilities to compete with high-profile fighters like Canelo Álvarez and Gervonta Davis. But when it comes to Benavidez, even Paul knows where to draw the line—acknowledging that the power and skill of the WBC champion may be too much for even him to handle.
With an ever-evolving landscape in the sport of boxing, it’s clear that Jake Paul’s ambitions will continue to stir debate. Whether he’ll step into the ring with Canelo or Anthony Joshua remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Jake Paul is determined to face the best—just not Benavidez.
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