The spectacle surrounding Jake Paul’s boxing journey has drawn both fascination and criticism in equal measure. While the influencer-turned-fighter has racked up attention across 12 professional bouts, many in the sport remain skeptical about his true standing among legitimate boxers. Ryan Garcia, one of the most recognizable faces in the lightweight division, recently became the latest to weigh in—with little hesitation and plenty of fire.
Despite the buzz surrounding Paul’s upcoming clash with Julio César Chávez Jr.—a former champion now approaching 40—Garcia made it clear he isn’t impressed. “There’s only so many 40-year-old dudes out there in the world that have a name,” he told USA Today Sports, pointing to Paul’s continued preference for aging opponents over ranked, prime competition.
For star boxer Ryan Garcia, the issue isn’t personal—it’s about credibility. He believes Paul has delayed facing a true test for long enough, and sees himself as a necessary checkpoint in Jake Paul’s path toward legitimacy. So, he’s going to have to come through me sooner or later,” Garcia declared. “I know he doesn’t want to, though, because I’m going to be firing on him.” but, Garcia didn’t stop there.
He underscored his experience and power, even suggesting that Paul once learned the ropes from him: “I’m the one that taught [Paul] boxing, so he has to see me.” The implication is clear—if Paul wants to be taken seriously, ducking fighters like Garcia will no longer be tolerated by fans or peers alike.
‘Is He even a real boxer?’ Garcia questions Paul’s legitimacy
Garcia’s doubts extend beyond Paul’s opponents to his very identity in the sport. “He’s a wild card. I mean, I don’t know if he’s a boxer. At the end of the day, he’s never fought in a ranked match at his weight class,” he argued, adding: “I don’t even know what his weight class is.”
Jake Paul’s next opportunity to silence critics will come on June 28, when he faces Julio César Chávez Jr. in a bout many view as yet another clash built on name value rather than competitive merit. For Ryan Garcia, though, the message is simple: when Paul finally stops chasing aging names and seeks out real challenges, he knows exactly where to find him.