Jake Paul claims his recent victories have legitimized him as a professional boxer and insists he is ready to right his wrongs against Tommy Fury before taking on Canelo.
Paul returns to the ring tonight in Puerto Rico to take on Ryan Bourland as part of the co-main on the card Amanda Serrano and Nina Meinke.
Paul – who lost to Fury via split decision in February 2023 – believes he has what it takes to win the fight at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Argelot in Sau Juan.
He also believes boxing fans should take him seriously after his impressive win over Andre August.
August, who first turned pro in 2013, represented just the second legitimate boxer the online sensation has faced in his four-year fighting career – and the first since Fury.
Jake Paul believes he should be taken seriously as a professional boxer after his recent wins
YouTuber boxer Paul returns to the ring when he takes on Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico
However, Paul made light work of the 35-year-old, securing a devastating first-round knockout after landing a vicious right uppercut that sent August tumbling to the canvas with 40 seconds left.
When asked if he felt the result against August meant he should be categorized as a legitimate boxer, Paul said Mailsport: ‘Yes, 100 percent. That’s why I keep saying I’m going to become world champion.
‘It’s because I’m such a talented athlete. Just look at these biceps. They’re just absolutely filled with power and destruction. These guys don’t have what it takes. Just because they’ve been doing it all their lives doesn’t mean they’re doing it right.’
He continued, “This is what I was meant to do. You can’t see it now, but there are about 40 people in this room and these are the people I’m fighting for.
‘It’s very serious. People always doubt us, doubt this family and doubt this team, but we keep proving them wrong. But this is my life. This is what I was built for and I will continue to make history.”
Paul is focused on avenging his points defeat to Tommy Fury after losing to the Love Island star in February 2023.
Paul (right) is determined to avenge his points defeat to fierce rival Tommy Fury (left).
Fury believes his knockout win (pictured) over Andre August proves he is legit
Fury won the fight via split decision – with the judges calling the fight 76-73, 76-73, 74-75 in his favor – but found it tougher than he predicted as he was knocked down and given a points deduction for holding on.
Paul had insisted after the fight that he would activate the rematch clause in the contract they signed, something echoed by Tommy’s father and trainer John Fury.
However, despite positive talks, nothing has been confirmed – with John Fury narrating Mailsport Paul and his family had “a fun, intelligent and respectful conversation” in January 2024.
When asked where the negotiations currently stood, Paul responded Mailsport: ‘Listen, that guy (Tommy Fury) is not s***. He needs me. When he is offered 75k for his next fight, he will realize all his doors and all his opportunities will lead back to me. We tried to make the fight happen, but the offer has now been reduced.”
However, Paul did praise Fury for his boxing IQ and stated that those who diminish his skill due to the caliber of opponents he faces are being ‘hypercritical’.
He said: “Tommy has been boxing since he was six years old. The fact that people don’t call him a true professional is just hypercritical of him. He comes from one of boxing’s most legendary bloodlines and for me it’s a fight that’s personal.
Paul has taken aim at Fury again, saying he’s ‘not a s***’ and believes a rematch will happen
Paul is looking forward to a fight against Canelo, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport
‘It’s not about appeasing anyone else. It’s about my revenge and avenging that loss. Showing people that I’m the better fighter and that he caught me on a lucky night.’
After avenging his loss to Fury, Paul wants to face Canelo.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer’s goal of taking on Canelo, who is still considered by many to be one of the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, is as courageous as it is far-fetched.
However, Paul is confident he has what it takes to beat the Mexican, despite Canelo previously claiming he was ‘a level above’.
Speak with Mailsport about the Canelo fight, Paul said: “As things stand now, I’m Canelo’s size now. Maybe he’ll stop avoiding me and finally get in the ring with me.
‘I’ve got the bling, I’ve got the glasses, I’m the cover of the sport as you can see on my shirt, so I’m the man in the game now. Canelo needs to put his money where his mouth is.”