Jake Paul’s bold claim that defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would earn him a place in the WBC cruiserweight rankings has fallen flat.
In the latest WBC update, released two weeks after the Chavez Jr. fight, Paul is nowhere to be seen—not in the Top 15, not even in the Top 40.
This scenario unfolds despite the YouTuber stating that a win over former middleweight champion Chavez Jr. would secure him an official WBC position.
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Paul did his part by outpointing Chavez Jr. over ten rounds in Anaheim. However, he expected recognition from boxing’s traditional sanctioning bodies.
But WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who had previously flirted with Paul’s ranking eligibility, has withheld a spot entirely, even from their expanded list of 40 cruiserweights.
Fighters with far lesser profiles and less media traction, such as Veljko Raznatovic and Tristan Kalkreuth, feature instead.
WBA to review Jake Paul’s ranking
Hardcore boxing fans will applaud the WBC’s move, especially given Paul’s #14 ranking by the WBA, which remains in place pending a formal review.
Craig Parker, who Paul replaced on the WBA list, spoke exclusively to WBN about the situation.
Asked by WBN if he made a complaint, as stated by Ring Magazine that pro boxers had, Parker denied he was one of them.
“No, my team and I didn’t feel the need to do that,” he told WBN.
“I spoke publicly not just for myself, but for a lot of boxers who felt the same way. That was enough. Now, I’m locked in on what I’m doing and what’s coming next (August 5).
“I think if they put him there, then stand on it. That’s on them.
“Now it just gives him the chance to step in the ring with real fighters, guys like me who earned it the long way,” he added.
WBC Cruiserweight Rankings – July 2025
Meanwhile, the current WBC cruiserweight champion remains Badou Jack, with Michal Cieslak holding the interim strap.
Top contenders include Noel Mikaelyan, Ryan Rozicki, and Chris Billam-Smith, all of whom boast proven resumes in the division.
For Paul, this snub could be a reality check, or perhaps a power play from a sanctioning body unwilling to be swayed by social media stardom alone.
With no WBC International, Silver, or even fringe title in sight, it seems for now: No belt. No ranking. No exception.
