Canelo Álvarez vs Jake Paul: A show or a serious fight?

The boxing world is full of speculation after reports arose that Canelo Álvarez and Jake Paul agreed to face in May. While many fans have a hard time believing that the great pound for Libra is willing to participate in such a fight, the financial attraction and promotional impact of a fight against youtuber turned into a boxer seem too important to ignore them.

According to various sources, Canelo and Paul have reached an agreement, although key details such as the category of weight and the number of assaults are still not revealed. If true, this fight could serve as heating for Canelo before his expected confrontation with Terence Crawford on September 13. However, for many, the perspective that the Mexican superstar rises to the ring with Jake Paul raises doubts about his competitive ambitions.

Canelo Álvarez, with a record of 62-2-2, has built his legacy fighting with the best of sport. However, since his defeat against Dmitry Bivol in 2022, some critics argue that he has opted for safer and more rewards. A fight against Jake Paul would only amplify this perception. Since Paul’s career was largely based on fighting aged and non -boxer legends, many believe he has few chances of surviving beyond the first assault against an elite fighter like Canelo. The Boxing commentator Ing Oladipo even said: “If Canelo wanted to get Jake Paul out of there, he could do it.”

Despite skepticism, potential payment figures per event tell a different story. The large number of Jake Paul followers on social networks (more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube and 23 million followers on Instagram) gives the fight an undeniable promotional advantage. His recent fight against Mike Tyson, 59, generated enormous attention, which demonstrates even more than his presence in sport attracts world interest. In financial terms, this could even overcome the fight scheduled for May of Canelo against the supermedian weight champion of the FIB, William Scull.

Rumors have caused reactions found within the boxing community. While some rule out the fight as a way of earning money, others see it as an opportunity to attract new eyes to sport. Even Canelo himself recognized the benefits of cross fights, stating that Paul attracts fans of different worlds that would not normally see boxing. However, respected analysts such as Ariel Helwani have not confirmed or denied the fight, which suggests that speculation has some merit.

One of the main concerns is whether this fight could eclipse or affect the September confrontation of Canelo with Terence Crawford. If Paul offered a minimally competitive fight, it could reduce the importance of the fight with Crawford. On the other hand, if Canelo demolishes Paul with a fast knockout, he could generate anticipation for his next challenge.

Paul, always confident, states that he will eventually be at the level of Canelo, and states: “In three more years, I will reach his skill level and defeat him.” While most experts find this statement ridiculous, you cannot deny their ability to generate expectation and ensure important fights. Even if you do not have a legitimate opportunity against Canelo, it has successfully positioned itself as an important player in boxing entertainment.

The key question remains: will this fight really be asked? While there is no official confirmation, growing speculation and media coverage suggests that it is a great possibility. If it is done, it will undoubtedly be one of the most commented boxing events of 2025, either as a legitimate fight or simply as an elaborate show.