Three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson has expressed genuine admiration for Jake Paul‘s evolution as a boxer and even suggested the YouTube star-turned-pugilist could potentially claim a world title under the right circumstances.
“I think actually Jake got tremendously better from the time frame that he started till now,”
Stevenson stated during a recent interview.
“And in the right situation, I also could see him become a world champion.”
This remarkable assessment comes as Paul continues his controversial journey in professional boxing. Currently ranked 14th in the WBA cruiserweight division, Paul has generated considerable debate about his legitimacy in the sport despite his growing record and ability to sell out arenas.
When pressed about which current champion might present the most favorable matchup for Paul, Stevenson offered an unexpected analysis, suggesting that WBA and WBO titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez might be a better option than the more experienced Badou Jack, who holds the WBC belt.
“I think Zurdo is a better match for him than Badou Jack,”
Stevenson explained.
“I wasn’t impressed with [Zurdo’s] last bout, and I just know Badou Jack, even though he’s old, he got a lot of experience, and he knows how to win.”
The boxing prodigy acknowledged that Paul’s ranking has raised eyebrows among purists who believe rankings should be based primarily on the quality of opposition faced. However, Stevenson offered a pragmatic view of how the business of boxing operates.
“Technically, you’re right. It is about who you competed against,”
he conceded.
“But you know how this go. It’s about who got the most money. And power controls the sport. So at the end of the day, I see why he’s there.”
Whether Paul can translate this improvement into championship success remains to be seen, but having earned the respect of a boxing virtuoso like Stevenson represents a significant milestone in his quest for legitimacy in the sport.
World Boxing Association (WBA) is set to review Jake Paul’s controversial No. 14 cruiserweight ranking after widespread backlash from fans and boxers, especially as Paul has never beaten a ranked opponent. His recent unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.—a former champion who wasn’t ranked at cruiserweight—sparked outrage among traditionalists who see the move as undermining the sport’s merit-based ranking system. The WBA will address the issue during its upcoming European convention, with many viewing this as a crucial moment that could impact Paul’s potential title shot against champion Gilberto Ramírez. Meanwhile, Paul has responded defiantly, praising the WBA and shifting his attention to WBC titleholder Badou Jack—despite not being recognized by that organization.
