THE journey of Jake Paul as a professional boxer continued with a points win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Paul, who has aspirations of becoming a world cruiserweight champion, controlled 80% of the 10-round bout. However, in the last two sessions, Chavez Jr brought the fight to the YouTuber and caught him flush on numerous occasions.
It was too little, too late. The eight rounds beforehand were a dismal effort from the former WBC middleweight champion. Paul, 12-1 (7 KOs), had kept Chavez Jr, 54-7-1 (34 KOs), at bay with the jab and targeted the 39-year-old’s body throughout.
Paul spent three-quarters of the contest following Chavez Jr around the ring. In the final six minutes, Chavez Jr unleashed the fight out of him and into the ring. Winging hooks and body shots either whizzed by or landed. Paul’s chin and conditioning stood up, though, and deservedly won a decision on all three scorecards, (99-91, 97-93, 98-92.)
Responding to a chorus of boos inside the venue during his post-fight interview, Paul said: “Actions speak louder than words. I’m him. I just kicked your boy’s ass.
“He’s a tough guy. He’s never been stopped and he’s a Mexican warrior. I’m also a warrior.”
Asked what he thought of his performance, Paul boasted: “It was flawless. I think I only got hit 10 times. All he did was survive. Going 10 rounds with a former world champion who’s been in with Canelo and I embarrassed him.”
Paul pledged to stay active and wants to fight again in 2025. In predictable fashion, he called out a mixed bag of fighters far more experienced than himself. “I want to be a world champion. ‘Zurdo’ [Ramirez] looked slow and s**t tonight. I want him. I want Badou Jack and Anthony Joshua. I’m staying active and fighting everybody.”
