Jake Paul’s meteoric rise through the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight rankings has come to a sudden halt following a decisive knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December, effectively ending his eligibility for a title run in that division.
The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-professional boxer first entered the WBA cruiserweight standings at No. 14 in July 2025 after defeating former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr. This victory earned Paul his first official ranking, sparking speculation that he could pursue the WBA cruiserweight championship.
Paul‘s ranking drew attention because it marked a rare crossover of celebrity fame and professional recognition in one of boxing’s traditional sanctioning bodies. His ascent, however, was short-lived.
By November 2025, he had slipped to No. 15 in the rankings, around the same time a highly anticipated bout with Gervonta Davis was canceled. This foreshadowed the difficulties he would face as he sought to solidify his place among established fighters in the division.
The latest WBA cruiserweight update confirms Paul‘s removal from the top 15 entirely, with Bosnia’s Edin Puhalo taking the No. 15 spot.
The new rankings are led by champion Gilberto Ramírez, with contenders including Leonardo Mosquea, Lenar Perez, Aloys Youmbi, Mike Perez, Yuniel Dorticos, and Aleksei Egorov. The No. 1 slot remains vacant, reflecting the fluid nature of the division and the WBA’s current approach to ranking its fighters.
Heavyweight setback and ranking fallout
Paul‘s exit from the cruiserweight rankings is directly linked to his December 19 heavyweight clash with former unified champion Anthony Joshua. The fight, contested above the cruiserweight limit, ended in the sixth round with Joshua scoring a knockout.
Paul was outstruck 48-16 and suffered his first professional defeat by knockout or technical knockout in 14 fights. This outcome not only halted his momentum in the heavyweight class but also erased his brief tenure in the WBA cruiserweight rankings.
The loss highlights the challenges fighters face when moving between weight classes. While Paul had previously shown the ability to compete with heavyweight opponents, including a 2024 match against Mike Tyson, the step up in competition against a seasoned former champion like Joshua exposed gaps in experience and technique.
His initial cruiserweight ranking, viewed by some critics as controversial, was based as much on his celebrity draw as on his in-ring accomplishments.
Looking forward, Paul‘s path in boxing is uncertain. He will need to weigh the possibility of returning to cruiserweight, continuing at heavyweight, or refocusing his career outside of traditional rankings.
Meanwhile, the WBA cruiserweight division continues to evolve, with fighters like Yuniel Dorticos, Chris Billam-Smith, and Aleksei Papin vying for recognition in a competitive field that remains open for new contenders.
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