Jake Paul has his eyes firmly set on the cruiserweight world title by 2025. The YouTuber turned professional boxer is scheduled to face American MMA fighter Mike Perry in Florida on July 20, following a delay in his bout with boxing heavyweight legend Mike Tyson due to a medical scare.

Known as “The Problem Child”, Paul has only faced one professional boxer, Tommy Fury, in his 10 fights but is confident of winning world honours within the next year. In an ESPN interview, he stated: “I believe in 2025 I will most likely be a world champion. I think I’m ready for it in the next couple of months and I’m going to go for it in 2025.”

So far, Paul has fluctuated between weights from 185lbs up to cruiserweight in his pro-boxing career spanning ten fights (9-1 record).

However, for the Tyson clash, he’ll compete in the heavyweight category. He had increased his weight to 230lbs before the fight was postponed, although he admits that 200lbs is his natural weight.

“Cruiserweight is what my body was made for. My punches aren’t the same [at lower weight classes] I don’t have that power or pop,” Paul said.

The reigning champions of the four cruiserweight world titles are currently Chris Billiam-Smith (WBO), Gilberto Ramirez (WBA), Norair Mikaeljan (WBC), and Jai Opetaia (IBF). Paul is not yet ranked within the top 15 of any of these major sanctioning bodies, indicating he has a long road ahead to be in contention for a world title shot.

Before his bout with Fury in February 2023, it was pledged that the victor would secure a top 40 rating with the WBC. However, Paul was defeated by Fury via split decision, which resulted in Fury entering the WBC rankings at No. 39.

Since then, Paul has achieved a unanimous decision victory over MMA legend Nate Diaz and two first-round knockout wins against boxing veterans Andre August and Ryan Bourland.