WBA president Gilberto Mendoza has said he is open to the idea of Jake Paul facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for a world championship.
Paul has gone on the record saying his ambition in boxing is to win a world title and he may now get a shot against the former champion Chavez. The Mexican, son of legend Julio Cesar Chavez, last fought for world honors in 2012 when he lost his WBC middleweight belt to Sergio Martinez. Chavez in recent years hasn’t been boxing at the level of his younger days and now is involved in more crossover contests against former MMA fighters.
Both men competed last Saturday, July 20 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, with Paul and Chavez each facing former MMA fighters. Paul scored a sixth-round stoppage over Mike Perry, while Chavez outpointed Uriah Hall over six rounds. Paul is due to face off against Mike Tyson in November in their long-awaited clash, and afterward, he may have a shot at a championship lined up.
WBA president Mendoza has hinted at a possible title fight between Paul and Chavez with a recent post on X. Mendoza wrote: “I am not against a Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for a championship.”
A title fight between Paul and Chavez seems unusual as both fighters currently sit outside the WBA top 15 rankings, and Paul is yet to record a win over a notable boxer. However, he will get the chance to add the name of a 58-year-old Tyson to his resume in November.
By Tom Ivers