Video: Jake Paul Calls out Canelo Álvarez, Wants Fight After Mike Tyson Bout

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVOctober 12, 2024

Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Jake Paul is prepared to take a big step up in competition once he has moved on from boxing legend Mike Tyson.

Paul told TMZ Sports he’s “coming for” Canelo Álvarez.

“The fight is going to happen and I will win and shock the whole entire world,” he said. “And, this is me currently speaking it into existence.”

Following his TKO victory over Ryan Bourland in March, Paul said in his post-fight interview that Canelo should “stop ducking” him.

The super middleweight champion eventually responded in May and made it clear that idea is not something he’s taking seriously right now.

“I always wonder why they ask me about Jake Paul, especially for that fight,” Álvarez said, per DAZN’s Erika Montoya. “Maybe in two years we could talk about that. Maybe [the fans] would love me for knocking him out. I hope he gets a lot better and does a great job. I hope he takes it seriously.”

Some of Canelo’s critics might argue Paul isn’t that much less proven than Edgar Berlanga, whom he fought in September.

The 34-year-old won a unanimous decision, with ESPN’s Mike Coppinger writing he was “several levels above such an opponent.” Berlanga began his career with 16 straight first-round knockouts but began to look less imposing in the ring once he started facing more established fighters. As a result, Canelo was considered a massive favorite going in.

Still, it’s hard to see how a battle with Paul would make much sense for him right now. Sure, the event would be a massive commercial success, but there’s nothing for Álvarez to gain from a competitive standpoint.

If he were to beat Paul, even in totally decisive fashion, then he wouldn’t get much credit for taking down the famous YouTuber who only took up boxing a few years ago. Losing to Paul, meanwhile, would open up Canelo to a lot of mockery.

Until Paul establishes himself as a credible contender, a battle with Álvarez probably remains a pipe dream no matter how much he tries to speak it into existence.