When Jake Paul first debuted in January 2020, he didn’t exactly plan to turn the industry upside down. The YouTuber-turned-boxer’s entry into the sport appeared like it was another attempt at a cash grab. But what started as a spectacle soon turned serious, both from Paul and the boxing community. After knocking out former NBA player Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, and Tyron Woodley and going the distance against Tommy Fury in 2023, the Problem Child began earning the respect of the boxing world. His November victory, a unanimous decision win over Mike Tyson, only cemented his status as a staple fixture in boxing who was here to stay.

Now, Jake Paul has set his sights on one of the biggest names in boxing: Canelo Alvarez. We all know how media-savvy boxer the Mexican champion is. Canelo has been the face of boxing ever since Floyd Mayweather’s retirement in 2017. And while it might seem like an audacious dream for Paul, the 28-year-old has made it clear that he’s actually serious. Recently, he reignited the idea of a fight with Canelo. What did he say? Let’s find out.

Jake Paul is not afraid of Canelo

During a recent interview on All The Smoke Fight, Barak, the host reminded Jake Paul of how he once expressed interest in fighting KSI—a fellow YouTuber—when he first stepped into the ring. Fast forward to today, when asked when he thought he’d be ready to face Canelo, the Cleveland native gave a quick and confident four-word reply: “As quick as possible.”

Paul then went on to add, “He’s not a monster in my eyes.” This answer left many, including the interviewer, stunned. Canelo, who is widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled boxers of his generation, has a reputation for hitting “hard like a heavyweight,” the host mentioned. And his recent record proves just that. But while Paul’s statement might seem brash, there is an interesting dynamic at play. Which is?

Jake Paul has the height and weight advantage, having fought as a cruiserweight and heavyweight since 2020, while Canelo fights in the super middleweight division, except for his detour into light heavyweight years ago. However, Canelo’s experience and boxing IQ would be a major challenge for Paul, who has yet to face a fighter of Alvarez’s caliber or even just a ranked contender. Despite this, it’s clear that Paul’s energy and ambition could make for an intriguing clash between the two.

But, it’s important to note that a fight between them doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon. The reason, you ask? Well, it seems Canelo Alvarez has bigger fish to fry.

Canelo Alvarez’s Future Plans

Canelo Alvarez is currently preparing for what could be one of the most anticipated fights of his career: a showdown with Terence Crawford in September in Las Vegas. A win would solidify his legacy before he considers retirement. However, when news broke that Jake Paul had been repeatedly calling him out, it naturally caught the attention of the boxing world.

Last year, in an interview with the Full Send Podcast, when asked about a potential exhibition match with Jake Paul, Canelo said, “When I’m done with boxing, why not? Maybe, maybe I’ll do it. I think it’s good because what happens is there are other people who never watch boxing or they don’t know anything about boxing.”

But despite their interest in such a spectacle, Canelo made it clear that he wasn’t necessarily interested in the fight for the sake of boxing. Later, when approached by TMZ, Canelo gave a definitive answer: “I’m not interested.” He expressed that Jake Paul fights for spectacle and not for the genuine spirit of boxing, and many share that opinion, especially after Jake Paul’s controversial fight against the 58-year-old Mike Tyson.

Whether or not this fight ever materializes is still uncertain, but it has certainly sparked plenty of conversation. So, what do you think? Is Jake Paul ready to take on a fighter like Canelo Alvarez?