In a move that’s ruffled feathers across the boxing world, Jake Paul has once again ignited controversy — this time by setting his sights on none other than Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, who recently faced Mike Tyson in a highly publicized exhibition bout, has now declared that he would “destroy” Canelo, claiming the Mexican superstar is “washed-up” and past his prime.
The bold claim came during a recent podcast appearance, where Paul didn’t hold back. “Look at Canelo now,” Jake said. “He’s not the same guy anymore. He’s slower, doesn’t pull the trigger like he used to, and honestly, I’d beat him. The version of me that fought Tyson — I’m telling you — I’d destroy Canelo.”
While many fans initially dismissed the comment as typical Jake Paul showmanship, things took a surprising turn when Paul began citing punch statistics from his exhibition fight with Mike Tyson to support his point.
“People think I’m crazy,” Paul said. “But let’s look at the numbers. In my last fight, I landed more power punches per round than Canelo did in his last two fights combined. I had a higher punch accuracy than he did. And I was in there with a legend like Tyson.”
Paul, who went the distance with Tyson in an eight-round bout, drew attention for his improved movement, stamina, and punch selection. While the match ended as a no-decision, punch stats released afterward showed Paul landing 38% of his punches, with several clean shots to Tyson’s body and head.
But can punch stats from an exhibition really prove anything against a world-class fighter like Canelo Alvarez? That’s where the debate begins.
Canelo, who has held titles in four weight divisions and is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of his generation, has indeed shown signs of wear in recent fights. His unanimous decision loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, followed by tougher-than-expected outings against John Ryder and Jermell Charlo, have led some critics to speculate that Canelo may be past his peak.
Still, the idea that Jake Paul — with a record of 9-1 and victories mostly over MMA fighters and retired athletes — could beat a future Hall of Famer like Canelo has sparked outrage among purists.
Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas responded swiftly: “This is delusion at its finest. Canelo, even at 60%, would dismantle Jake Paul in six rounds. Punch stats from a Tyson exhibition don’t mean anything. It’s apples and oranges.”
On social media, fans were divided. While Jake Paul’s loyal followers praised his confidence and work ethic, longtime boxing fans called the claim “disrespectful” and “laughable.”
“Jake is great for entertainment,” one fan tweeted, “but saying he’d destroy Canelo is like saying a high school quarterback could beat Tom Brady because he threw a few touchdowns in practice.”
However, Paul remains unshaken. “They laughed when I said I’d knock out Nate Robinson. They laughed when I said I’d beat Tyron Woodley. They laughed when I said I’d headline with Mike Tyson. I’m done trying to prove people wrong. I’m proving myself right.”
Whether it’s just clever marketing or a genuine belief in his own abilities, one thing is clear: Jake Paul knows how to keep himself in the headlines. And as long as people keep talking, his influence — and bank account — will only grow.
Would a fight between Jake Paul and Canelo ever happen? It seems unlikely, but in the bizarre universe of modern boxing, nothing is impossible. Until then, fans will continue debating, punching holes in stats, and waiting for what Jake Paul will say — or do — next.
