In a stunning turn of events that has left the boxing world buzzing, Jake Paul has officially been removed from the WBA cruiserweight rankings following his December defeat to Anthony Joshua in Miami. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the loss, Paul insists he held his own, even claiming he “wobbled” the former Olympic champion during the fight. So, was this a clear-cut victory for Joshua, or did Paul expose vulnerabilities in the heavyweight star’s game? Let’s dive in.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer, who had climbed to the 14th spot in the cruiserweight rankings after his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez in July, entered the ring against Joshua ranked 15th. However, the bout took a dramatic turn in the sixth round when Joshua, returning to the ring after a September 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois, stopped Paul in his tracks. The defeat not only cost Paul his ranking but also left him with a double jaw fracture—a brutal reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature. But is Paul’s journey in boxing truly over, or is this just another chapter in his unpredictable career?
In a candid interview on his brother Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, the 28-year-old reflected on the fight, stating, “It’s not that hard to get your a** beat. I won two rounds, then he won two, then I got dropped.” Paul acknowledged the mental and physical challenges of facing a heavyweight like Joshua, particularly the difference in power when sparring with 10oz gloves. “I was feeling his power a lot more,” he admitted. Yet, he remains undeterred, calling the experience “great” and expressing regret over not having more time to build muscle and prepare, especially citing his lack of altitude training as a critical mistake.
And this is the part most people miss: Paul’s resilience and self-awareness are undeniable. Despite the loss, he sees room for improvement and isn’t shying away from the lessons learned. His professional record now stands at 12-2, with his only other defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023. Meanwhile, Bosnia’s Edin Puhalo has stepped into the 15th spot in the cruiserweight rankings, marking a shift in the division’s landscape.
As the dust settles, the question remains: Can Jake Paul bounce back from this setback, or has he reached his limit in the boxing world? And more controversially, did he truly expose weaknesses in Joshua’s game, or was this simply a mismatch in weight classes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
