Jake Paul has become a top 15 contender as of yesterday when the WBA updated its ranking boards and revealed the American fighter’s position at #14 on the cruiserweight charts. With a title opportunity now possible for Paul, WBA [and WBO] champion Gilberto Ramirez retains the option to face Paul if willing, setting up a predictably undeserving and meritless path for Jake Paul to become world champion.
The WBA’s decision to rank Jake Paul in the top 15 of the WBA’s cruiserweight (200 lbs) rankings after beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ― who at best would struggle to be considered even a fringe contender in the division ― will become known as one of the most egregious decisions the WBA has made over the past couple of years.
Following the sanctioning body’s latest update initiated on July 1, 2025, Jake Paul occupies the #14 spot and according to the WBA’s rules is now eligible for a world title opportunity. The WBA title is currently held by Mexican unified champion Gilberto Ramirez (48-1, 30 KO’s) who further holds the WBO title. Ramirez notably fought on the same card as Paul where he recorded a hard-fought win over Cuban challenger Yuniel Dorticos.
Given the WBA is able to introduce “regular” titles on a whim, there’s every chance of Jake Paul fighting for a world title against another contender without actually facing Gilberto Ramirez. Despite the two having faced off as if hinting of a future fight, the discrepancy in experience and ability would make it doubtful on whether the fight would even be approved by the United States’ state athletic commissions.
The WBA’s decision to rank Paul in the top 15 has likely been made due to the potential benefits of future monetary compensation ― defined by Paul’s popularity ― through sanctioning fees if Paul were to become a champion.
As boxing reporter Dan Rafael himself would detail in an interview prior to Paul’s position, the WBA stands to benefit financially from Paul potentially becoming a champion.
“I’d be more surprised ― particularly as it relates to the WBA ― if they didn’t put him [Jake Paul] in the ratings,” Rafael told IFL TV.
“That would be the bigger surprise because, as you know, at the end of the day boxing is a business ― everybody has to remember that. And Jake Paul generates a tremendous amount of interest and revenue, and anybody that is involved in that aspect of the business wants to be associated with the fighter that can bring them money.“
Jake Paul is not the first fighter to be dubiously placed into the official rankings, with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou having risen to a top 10 spot on the WBC’s rankings after suffering a narrow contentious loss to Tyson Fury.
Whether Paul would be interested engaging any of the fighters in the top 15 for, likely, the WBA “regular” cruiserweight title were it to be introduced remains the question. Worryingly, there is every chance of the WBA uplifting an unknown contender into the top 15 rankings to facilitate such a title fight; though this would be a difficult maneuver given even unheralded contenders would be a step too much for Paul.
Despite the difficulties Jake Paul would face in actually winning a world title, even if only the WBA “regular” title, the opportunity for him will remain present for as long as he’s ranked and falls in line with the WBA’s reputation for being the most corrupt sanctioning body out of all the major four organizations that help regulate the sport.
