Why Jake Paul shouldn’t target Canelo Alvarez—even if he beats Julio Chavez Jr.

Jake Paul returns to the ring this Saturday to take on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., arguably the biggest challenge of his career so far. However, even if the YouTuber-turned-boxer defeats the former world champion, it shouldn’t be a green light to immediately chase Canelo Alvarez again.

In recent years, Jake Paul has brought a unique spotlight to boxing. What started as a novelty quickly turned into a genuine pursuit, with Paul training seriously and building a respectable professional record.

This weekend marks Paul’s 13th pro fight, as he faces Chavez Jr.—a former world champion and the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez. Still, his long-term dream seems fixed on one man: Canelo Alvarez. And that might be a problem.

Jake Paul should forget about Canelo—at least for now

Boxing has seen many stars, and Canelo Alvarez is undoubtedly one of the greatest of his generation. With titles across multiple weight classes and unmatched dominance in the ring, Alvarez is nearing the twilight of a legendary career.

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Jake Paul is well aware of that and is eager to land a fight with the Mexican icon before he retires. To Paul, defeating Canelo would be the ultimate statement that he belongs among boxing’s elite.

However, that storyline is beginning to wear thin with fans. Even with a legitimate challenge ahead in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Paul continues to bring up Alvarez as if it’s the only bout that matters.

On the other side, Canelo seems uninterested. He sees Paul’s frequent callouts as more promotional hype than serious competition, and he hasn’t shown much intention to accept a fight—at least not anytime soon.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and William Scull (L-R) on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

If Paul truly wants a shot at Alvarez, the best path is through steady, legitimate growth. A win against Chavez Jr. would be a step forward, but he’ll need to take on more credible opponents before Alvarez—or the boxing world—takes him seriously.

If not Canelo, who should Jake Paul fight next?

First, Paul needs to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. A loss would seriously damage his momentum and credibility. But a win—especially against a former champion—would be the biggest victory of his career so far.

Should he win, his next fight should come against a top-10 ranked heavyweight opponent. If Paul wants to show he’s serious, he needs to climb the ladder like every other fighter.

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One potential challenger has already shown interest: Anthony Joshua. The former heavyweight champion, who boasts a 28–4 record, hinted at a possible fight with Paul earlier this year. If that matchup ever happens, it would be a massive leap for the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

For now, Paul must remain focused. Canelo might still be a possibility down the road, but earning that fight will take more than callouts. It will take wins—against real, proven boxers—and patience.