Oscar De La Hoya believes Jake Paul has what it takes to become a world champion in boxing.
‘Golden Boy’ has even suggested that the YouTuber-turned-pugilist could secure a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the next couple of years.
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Of the five fights Jake has won, four of them have been KOs
‘The Problem Child’ currently boasts a perfect 5-0 record after transitioning to professional boxing in 2021, picking up wins over fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and MMA fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley (x2).
Paul’s credentials continue to be questioned ahead of his sixth professional fight as he’s yet to face a real boxer but De La Hoya is convinced that the YouTuber has real talent.
“Let me tell you one thing about Jake Paul. He’s the real deal. I’m gonna tell you that. With only four, five fights, and the way he’s taking it serious, Jake Paul is the real deal,” De La Hoya said in an interview with TMZ Sports.
“I dare anyone who has boxing experience who has MMA experience to call him out, ’cause I’ll tell you one thing, this guy can beat a lot of good champions, and even maybe great champions.
“I think Paul’s on to something because he’s taking it serious. This is not a one-off, a two-off, a three-off, no. He wants to become a world champion and there’s no way out of becoming a world champion, you have to fight the very best and he’s doing it right. I just wanted to say that. Jake Paul is doing the right thing.”
De La Hoya added: “He’s on his way to becoming a contender, and he’s on his way to becoming a world contender, then a world champion if he keeps it up. Look, all the social media stuff, everybody wants to be him.
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“Think about it, everybody wants followers, everybody is on social media. What’s wrong with him having 19 plus million followers? There’s nothing wrong with that in fact it’s wonderful for the sport. Enough with that BS, right? Let him be. He’s doing the right thing. He is great for boxing. I really hope he does become world champion.”
Paul has previously made a hitlist which includes Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Canelo, and Conor McGregor.
Canelo’s name has come up multiple times as a possible opponent in the future and Paul told talkSPORT he hoped to be ready to face him in the future.
“I’m being dead serious,” he told Eddie Hearn. “On my mum’s life I’m being serious. That I can contend with him, three years from now.
“I’ve seen guys go in there against him, and I say it all the time, the one guy recently goes three rounds and quits in the corner and doesn’t throw a punch [Avni Yildirim].
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“How much did he get paid? I have way more heart than that guy. I’m way more athletic than that guy.”
De La Hoya believes a fight between Paul and Canelo may well happen, but he must earn the right to face him first.
He said: “Anything can happen in boxing. In order to fight an elite fighter like Canelo you have to prove yourself. You have to have a world title, you have to fight a few contenders, a few world champions. You can’t just go in there.
“It wouldn’t be fair for other world champions that are waiting in line to fight Canelo.
“Jake Paul has all the time in the world. He’s a young guy. He can work himself up the ladder and possibly fight Canelo in the future. Who knows, a couple of years from now, maybe.
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Oscar De La Hoya rates Jake Paul’s boxing skills
“I think Jake Paul, the way he keeps proving himself, the way he trains in the gym – I have eyes everywhere and Jake Paul is working his a** off. I’m actually proud of that because he picked the sport I grew up in, and picked a sport that is very difficult, so kudos to him.”
Paul has seemingly confirmed he’s set for a sixth fight and in an Instagram video said: “August, I’m back baby.”
No opponent has been confirmed yet but Tommy Fury has called out the man he was due to fight in December before injury saw the brother of Tyson pull out.
“In my eyes, that fight is always there. If he wants the big fights and the big numbers and the big pay-per-views, he knows where to come,” Fury told talkSPORT Fight Night.
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