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.
