Jake Paul: ‘I deserve world ranking if I beat Tommy Fury’
Jake Paul has boasted he has had the “fastest meteoric rise in boxing history” and deserves a world ranking if he beats Tommy Fury in their delayed bout in Saudi Arabia.
Jake Paul has declared he deserves a world ranking if he beats Tommy Fury in their long-awaited clash.
The YouTuber-turned MMA fighter and boxer, 26, boasted he has had the “fastest meteoric rise in boxing history” and is predicting an “easy” victory over his rival on Sunday (26.02.23), which comes after they have been locked in talks for months trying to reschedule the grudge match that fell through twice.
Jake told Sky Sports on Friday (24.02.23): “I think it’ll be my easiest fight since Ben Askren for sure. I think it’s going to be refreshing.”
The WBC’s decision to grant the winner of the fight – which will be held at the Diriyah Arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, where Anthony Joshua fought Andy Ruiz Jr – was a shock move, as Tommy will be the first opponent Jake has faced who comes from a boxing background.
But Jake insisted it “makes sense”, adding about going into a bout with Tommy when he holds a 8–0 undefeated record: “I think it’s cool if they want to rank me, that’s fine.
“It’s not up to me. I’m not in control of the WBC and whatever it is that they want to do.
“I’m challenging myself more than most pro fighters, all pro fighters, in their seventh fight.
“Most pro fighters in their seventh fight are fighting guys with losing records.
“I’m fighting now Tommy Fury, legendary bloodline, 8–0, in just my seventh fight. I’ve beaten a lot of people in sparring who are in the cruiserweight rankings so to me it makes sense. But of course the purists are always going to be mad at me.”
Tommy, 23, pulled out of the original date for the fight with Jake in December 2021 over injury and illness – then had visa issues while trying to get to America to promote their rescheduled clash, which was also called off.
Jake added about the build-up to their match and how he thinks he has what it takes to beat him: "There's a lot of hype around it. He has a big name. His brother's the heavyweight champion of the world. He's been doing this since he was 10 years old, he's a professional boxer, same age-ish, same weight. He's got the longer reach. Got advantages on me.
"We’ve already gone past the ‘moving too fast’. This is a rollercoaster ride and it seems on pace actually for the speed that I’m moving at.
“I think this is the fastest meteoric rise in boxing history. No one's done this many pay-per-views this early on. No one’s moved this fast. No one’s challenged themselves. No one’s had this big of events, this early on in their career ever. Ever.
"Hopefully it's a never-ending ride. I love this sport and I'm taking it day by day and doing what I can every single day. In the gym, outside of the gym to grow boxing and to have fun on this rollercoaster."
Jake added he expects his next boxing bout to come against another MMA fighter and says he intends to box Nate Diaz after Tommy Fury.
Sky customers can watch Jake ‘The Problem Child’ Paul vs Tommy ‘TNT’ Fury on BT Sport Box Office from 6.30pm on Sunday.
