Fresh off his headline-grabbing victory against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, Jake Paul has received several lucrative offers, including a surprising challenge from reigning IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. The British powerhouse invited the YouTuber-turned-boxer to vie for the heavyweight title, sparking outrage and intrigue across the boxing world.
Despite initially showing interest, Paul has decided against accepting the fight, prioritizing his plans to compete in the cruiserweight division.
The Tyson Effect and Financial Success
Paul’s victory over Tyson last Friday, while criticized for its competitive quality, was an undeniable commercial triumph. The event attracted millions of viewers worldwide, establishing Paul as one of boxing’s most sought-after figures.
Although the main event fell short of expectations, the co-featured bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano captivated fans, reaffirming their standing as elite competitors.
Paul’s star power has since drawn calls from champions like Artur Beterbiev (undisputed light-heavyweight) and Kevin Lerena (WBC bridgerweight). However, it was Dubois’ heavyweight challenge that garnered the most attention.
Daniel Dubois: A Bold Offer
Shortly after Paul’s victory, Dubois reached out via social media, offering the polarizing star a shot at the “legitimate heavyweight championship of the world.” Initially, Paul seemed receptive to the idea, viewing it as an opportunity to make history.
However, according to Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian, the 27-year-old’s interest lies elsewhere—for now.
“When Jake got that DM, he sent it to me and said: ‘How funny is this, how the world has turned,’” Bidarian shared with Sky Sports.
“Jake’s feedback to me was: ‘I want to do that fight. Not now. But I want to do that fight.’”
Cruiserweight Ambitions and Future Goals
Paul’s immediate focus is on competing in the cruiserweight division, where he feels he can more naturally challenge for a world title.
Bidarian elaborated:
“To be a world champion at cruiserweight, he wants to do that. The other is to test the limits of expectations. Test the limits of what’s possible. It isn’t about the money. He’s made lots of money. It’s about disruption. It’s about doing things that make you say, ‘Wow, that really happened.’”
Dubois’ Next Move
As for Daniel Dubois, his promoter Frank Warren has promised an announcement soon regarding Dubois’ next opponent. While the IBF champion is moving forward with his second title defense, Warren hasn’t ruled out the possibility of facing Paul in the future.
Dubois’ challenge highlighted Paul’s growing influence in boxing, underscoring the disruptive impact the social media sensation has had on the sport.
What’s Next for Jake Paul?
For now, Paul is expected to drop back to cruiserweight for his next fight, a move that aligns with his long-term ambitions. However, a future clash with Dubois—or even a foray into the bridgerweight division—remains a tantalizing prospect.
While fans and critics continue to debate Paul’s legitimacy as a boxer, his ability to generate excitement and attention ensures his every move will be closely watched.