Jake Paul Falls From WBA Cruiserweight Rankings After Joshua Loss
Jake Paul has been removed from the World Boxing Association’s cruiserweight rankings following his December defeat to Anthony Joshua. The 28-year-old’s rapid ascent in the boxing world has faced scrutiny, and this latest development marks a meaningful setback for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
The WBA’s updated rankings, released on December 31, no longer include Paul, who had briefly entered the list at number 14 in July after securing a victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He later dropped to 15th before being removed entirely.
Paul’s performance against Joshua was widely analyzed, with reports indicating he spent much of the fight attempting to evade his opponent. He was ultimately knocked down twice in the fifth round and the fight was stopped in the sixth. The bout resulted in a broken jaw for Paul, requiring the fitting of two titanium plates and the removal of some teeth.
“He had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after suffering a broken jaw,” the report stated, detailing the extent of Paul’s injuries. This marks the second defeat of his professional boxing career.
Edin Puhalo of Bosnia has taken Paul’s former spot at number 15,having secured his 27th career win in December.
Paul’s initial inclusion in the WBA rankings last year sparked considerable debate within the boxing community. Many seasoned observers felt his placement ahead of more experienced contenders was unwarranted. “Paul’s inclusion in the rankings last year irked many traditionalists in the sport who felt he had leapfrogged some of the more established contenders,” one analyst noted, reflecting the widespread sentiment at the time. The removal from the rankings signals a return to a more conventional assessment of contenders within the cruiserweight division.
