Jake Paul, the polarizing YouTuber-turned-boxer, has set the combat sports world abuzz yet again—this time by revealing an ambitious six-fighter hit list that reads like a who’s who of boxing’s biggest names. Fresh off the chaos of his postponed Mike Tyson bout, Paul now prepares for his June 28 clash against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but his sights are set far beyond this summer.
In a newly released video for his Most Valuable Promotions YouTube channel, "The Problem Child" rattled off a jaw-dropping roster of potential opponents, blending legitimate champions, bitter rivals, and fantasy matchups that defy conventional weight-class logic.
Jake Paul’s hefty list
Paul’s post-Chavez Jr. blueprint is nothing if not audacious. "After Chavez, I think Gervonta Davis, Anthony Joshua, KSI, Tommy Fury, Ryan Garcia, Badou Jack," he declared, acknowledging the sheer improbability of the lineup with a smirk: "Pretty hefty list."
The proposed hit list spans four weight classes and includes:
Gervonta "Tank" Davis (lightweight superstar, though Paul dismissed their prior exhibition talks)
Anthony Joshua (two-time heavyweight champion, a staggering 50+ lbs above Jake Paul’s typical cruiserweight fights)
KSI (YouTube nemesis, despite their 2023 bout ending Paul’s hype)
Tommy Fury (the only man to defeat Paul professionally)
Ryan Garcia (recent upset winner over Devin Haney)
Badou Jack (current WBC cruiserweight champion, the sole legitimate titleholder on the list)
The logistical hurdles are glaring. Paul would need to yo-yo between divisions—dropping to 140 lbs for Garcia or Davis, bouncing back to cruiserweight for Fury and Jack, then bulking up to heavyweight for Joshua—a schedule that defies boxing norms.
Why this list raises eyebrows
While Jake Paul’s promotional genius is undeniable, critics argue the list prioritizes spectacle over sport. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., though a former world champion, hasn’t fought professionally since 2021 and has struggled with discipline outside the ring. Meanwhile, fights like Joshua or Davis seem financially driven, given the massive weight disparities. Even Badou Jack, a credible champion, would likely demand Paul prove himself against ranked contenders first.
Paul’s dismissal of Canelo Alvarez—"Turki Alalshikh shut that down"—hints at the Saudis’ growing influence in blocking mismatches. Yet, his relentless self-marketing ensures these names dominate headlines, whether the fights materialize or not.
The Chavez Jr. stepping stone
First, Paul must navigate Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who represents his first bout against a bona fide (if faded) world champion. A dominant win could lend credibility to his crusade, but another circus-like Tyson scenario looms if the matchup underwhelms. Either way, Jake Paul’s hit list guarantees one thing: the boxing world will keep watching, debating, and—love him or hate him—clicking.