Canelo Alvarez leaves door ajar for boxing fight with YouTube star Jake Paul
Canelo Alvarez has refused to rule out a future bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul – but warned that the American has a lot of things to improve upon if he ever wants to go up against one of the stars of the sport.
Paul has four wins in the ring as a professional, but none have been against traditional boxers.
His first was against a fellow social media star, winning with a technical knock-out in the first round against AnEsonGib.
He then fought on the Mike Tyson v Roy Jones Jr undercard against basketball pro Nate Robinson, this time needing two rounds before knocking his opponent out.
Paul's last two outings have been against MMA fighters, defeating former Bellator champion Ben Askren in the first round before going the distance against former UFC champ Tyron Woodley and being declared the winner by split decision.
His next fight has not yet been confirmed, but rumours have circulated about possible meetings with another UFC star, Conor McGregor, and Love Island runner-up Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson.
The latter would be Paul's first actual boxer opponent, and Fury has said he is open to a bout – though the American has been accused of ducking a potential fight.
But if Paul wants to rise to the top of the sport, he will need to prove to the biggest names that he has earned the right to face them in the ring.
Alvarez, currently ranked as the best pound-for-pound active boxer in the world and the unified super middleweight world champion, echoed that when asked if he would consider meeting Paul in the ring one day.
Do you think Jake Paul could one day face Canelo Alvarez? Let us know in the comments section.
"We don't know – you never say no," Canelo told FightHype. "He can try, and keep fighting and playing. We'll see, in the future."
"[Paul needs to do] a lot of things," Alvarez added, before agreeing that the YouTuber needs to improve his boxing skills before he has any hope of taking on some of the bigger names in the sport.
"I'm not going to say I don't like or I like someone. Everyone has their personality."
Before his fight with Woodley, Paul was asked what he thinks he needs to do to be able to face someone like Alvarez.
He agreed that he needed to get a lot more experience and time in the ring, adding that Woodley had been chosen specifically for his ability to last after Paul's first three fights all ended early.
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"I think [I need] just more time under the lights, and increasing the level of my opposition," Paul said, adding: "Maybe the pinnacle will be Canelo.
"He's had hours of experience in the ring, and I've had seven minutes in three fights.
"I need harder opponents. That's why we chose Woodley – hopefully he can bring me a good fight. I want more time under the lights.
"I haven't been hit in my three professional fights… I don't even know what it's like to get hit with a 10oz glove.
"Hopefully I'll eventually get enough experience under my belt to fight Canelo."
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