In a surprising twist in the boxing world, Jake Paul has made headlines by declaring that there is one fighter he won't challenge: David Benavidez. The popular YouTube star, known for making waves in the boxing ring, was recently in negotiations to face off against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in May and was on the verge of a deal to fight WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis during the summer. However, a lucrative four-fight offer made to Alvarez by Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in Saudi Arabia's burgeoning boxing scene, has halted those negotiations. Additionally, Gervonta Davis’s controversial draw against Lamont Roach has further complicated the landscape for Paul.
Despite his bravado in the ring, Paul is realistic when it comes to facing Benavidez. In an episode of his podcast, Paul openly stated, “When my manager is talking about fights, the only no is you. I will not fight this f*** guy. He is a monster, bro. I would f die.” This frank admission shows that while Paul believes he could best fighters like two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and even Canelo, he perceives Benavidez as a formidable opponent beyond his capacity.
It’s worth noting that Jake Paul is coming off a notable victory over boxing legend Mike Tyson, which he secured by unanimous decision last November. However, many critics argued that the fight should not have taken place given Tyson’s age of 58 at the time. Yet, Paul has maintained a steady course in selecting rivals to build his career, although his choice to exclude Benavidez speaks volumes.
David Benavidez is an undefeated fighter with an impressive record of 30 professional fights resulting in 30 wins—24 of those via knockout, establishing him firmly as the WBC interim light heavyweight champion. His remarkable skills were showcased recently when he attended the rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev in Saudi Arabia, where Bivol won via majority decision. Benavidez continues to be a potential target for future bouts, although negotiations seem to be uncertain.
In another intriguing twist, Jake Paul boldly called out Anthony Joshua claiming he would “fing beat Anthony Joshua's a*.” Citing Joshua’s shortcomings, he added, “He doesn't have a chin, has no skill, and he's stiff.” Joshua, who last fought six months ago, suffered a notable defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois, which was his fourth professional loss. The call-out sparked interest as Joshua seemed to have engaged in a phone call with Paul, revealing a shared screenshot on his Instagram stories that featured a contact labeled “Jake Paul.” His playful caption alongside the post was met with excitement from fans, indicating that a matchup could be in the works for next year.
Paul's boldness and willingness to call out established fighters like Joshua and Benavidez demonstrates his strategy of positioning himself in the boxing hierarchy. While he continues to claim he can beat top fighters, the glaring omission of Benavidez as a potential opponent raises questions about his true fighting capabilities against established champions who have proven their mettle in the ring.
As negotiations and discussions continue to swirl in the boxing community, the spotlight remains on Jake Paul and David Benavidez, who, for now, seem to occupy very different spaces in the sport. Paul’s ventures are personal and centered on building his reputation, whereas Benavidez is focused on maintaining his undefeated streak and securing significant fights in his weight class. Their contrasting paths reflect the differences in motivations within modern boxing—where entertainment meets the legitimacy of competition.
With the boxing calendar evolving, fans are eager to see how these developments unfold. Each fighter’s moves could shape the landscape of boxing for the foreseeable future. The anticipation of potential matchups keeps the narrative exciting, as Jake Paul seeks to carve his name in history while Benavidez works tirelessly to continue his impressive legacy.
Amid these events, the boxing world watches closely, hoping that fans can finally witness the much-discussed showdown not only between Paul and Joshua but also a deeper evaluation of where Paul fits in the larger boxing narrative—one that includes legends like David Benavidez.
