Jake Paul may have a win streak and rising stock in the boxing world, but veteran trainer Jeff Mayweather believes the YouTuber-turned-fighter is once again walking into a trap.
Paul is set to return to the ring on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where he’ll face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a former WBC middleweight world champion and son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
On paper, it’s the most credentialed opponent Paul has faced. But in reality, many-including Jeff Mayweather-are skeptical.
“It will in the sense that he’s fought a legitimate fighter that actually was a professional fighter and a world champion,” Jeff Mayweather told The Mayweather Channel. “But to get him after a five-year layoff and him being inactive is almost just like fighting Mike Tyson.”
It’s a familiar narrative. Last November, Paul defeated 58-year-old Tyson in a fight that many fans dismissed as little more than a spectacle. Despite Paul‘s unanimous decision win, viewers were quick to suggest the match lacked authenticity due to Tyson‘s age and diminished condition.
Now, Paul faces a 39-year-old Chavez Jr. who last fought in July 2024 against a UFC fighter-and struggled. Chavez Jr. was inactive throughout 2022 and 2023, and his recent history has been clouded by substance abuse issues, mental health challenges, and declining performances in the ring.
“Of course, he’s going to have some criticism,” Jeff Mayweather added. “It’s still better to get a win over a legitimate fighter, a legitimate world champion, than to fight someone that nobody knows, or even fight Mike Tyson in his almost 60.”
Logan Paul defends his brother’s fight path
While critics are lining up to poke holes in the matchup, Logan Paul sees things very differently. Speaking to The Schmo, the WWE star and occasional boxer stood firmly behind Jake‘s strategy, calling it a smart, calculated build-up.
“I think Jake is taking the perfect path,” Logan said. “I think he’s taking guys who are very good, very skilled boxers that are either at his level or maybe even a bit above.”
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