YouTube-star-turned-boxer Jake Paul is back with a new list of dream opponents - and this time, the ambitions are bigger than ever.

The 28-year-old fighter has revealed his updated “wish list” of potential bouts, headlined by some of boxing’s biggest names, including Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, Anthony Joshua, and Alex Pereira. According to ESPN, Paul has already fought six of the twelve fighters from his original list made back in 2021 - a mix of professional boxers, MMA veterans, and influencers - but says the next phase of his career is about “legitimacy, not spectacle.”

“I’ve proven I belong,” Paul told reporters. “Now it’s about testing myself against real world champions, guys who’ve been at the top of this sport for years.”

The Path So Far

Since turning professional in 2020, Paul has built a 10-1 record, earning credibility in a sport that initially dismissed him as a social media gimmick. His victories over Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz helped establish his presence beyond the influencer bubble.

But critics argue that Paul has yet to face an elite boxer in their prime - a critique that continues to shadow his rise. That’s what makes his new list so intriguing.

The New Targets

At the top sits Canelo Alvarez, the reigning super-middleweight champion and one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of the modern era. Facing Canelo would mean stepping into the ring with a generational technician - and into one of boxing’s most lucrative pay-per-view events.

Paul also called out Ryan Garcia, citing stylistic similarities and fan appeal. “He’s fast, flashy, emotional - and I think I’d knock him out,” Paul said during a recent podcast appearance.

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight champion, and Alex Pereira, UFC’s two-division powerhouse, represent potential cross-discipline megafights that could redefine the combat sports entertainment model Paul helped popularize.

“Each of these guys represents a different challenge,” Paul said. “Canelo’s the legacy fight, Ryan’s the hype fight, and Joshua’s the mountain - the kind of fight that cements your name in history.”

Boxing’s Business Equation

Promoters are already speculating about the feasibility of any of these matchups. Alvarez, still under contract with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), would require a high-stakes, cross-promotional event - the kind Paul’s team at Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has shown they can execute.

Analysts note that if Paul continues to rack up credible wins against ranked contenders in 2026, his star power could translate into legitimate leverage for such bouts.

Paul’s last fight, a unanimous decision victory over cruiserweight Tommy Fury, boosted his standing in the WBC rankings and drew more than 2 million pay-per-view buys, underscoring his commercial draw.

The Bigger Picture

Love him or loathe him, Jake Paul remains one of boxing’s most disruptive figures - blurring the line between athlete and entertainer while bringing a new generation of fans to the sport.

His team says 2026 will be a “make-or-break” year: one elite opponent, one defining victory, and perhaps, the moment when the experiment becomes legacy.

“I don’t want to be remembered as the YouTuber who boxed,” Paul said. “I want to be remembered as the fighter who changed boxing.”