Eddie Hearn says Jake Paul DOESN'T deserved to be ranked by the WBC

‘Is it right? Not really’: Eddie Hearn says Jake Paul DOESN’T deserved to be ranked by the WBC if he beats Tommy Fury and claims the decision to add the YouTuber-turned-boxer into their cruiserweight top 40 is a ‘publicity’ stunt

  • Jake Paul will go toe-to-toe with Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia on February 26
  • If Paul wins the fight, he will officially go into the WBC’s top 40 at cruiserweight
  • Eddie Hearn says there are other boxers that ‘deserve to be in the top 15 more 

Eddie Hearn has disagreed with the WBC’s decision to name Jake Paul as a world-ranked fighter in the cruiserweight division. 

The WBC have confirmed that the YouTuber-turned-boxer will move into their top 40 rankings if he wins against Tommy Fury on February 26. 

Hearn disagrees with the decision and says the WBC are only ranking Paul because of the publicity he brings. 

The 43-year-old promoter says there are other boxers that ‘deserve to be in the top 15 much more than Paul. 

Hearn told IFL TV: ‘Sometimes governing bodies have to live in that commercial world as well. Tommy Fury’s a proper fighter and Jake Paul would make a statement if he won that fight.’ 

Eddie Hearn disagreed with the WBC’s decision to name Jake Paul as a world-ranked fighter

The WBC have confirmed that the YouTuber-turned-boxer will move into their top 40 rankings if he wins against Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia on February 26

Hearn backs Paul (left) to beat Fury (right) via knockout as he says the YouTuber-turned-boxer has mentally broken his opponent

Hearn went on to add: ‘Not a statement that he can challenge for a world title, but, ultimately, there’s a little bit of publicity in there.

‘Is it right? Not really. Because there’s fighters that deserve to be in the top 15 much more than Jake Paul, but it’s the world we live in.’

Nevertheless, Hearn backs Paul to beat Fury via knockout as he says the YouTuber-turned-boxer has mentally broken his opponent. 

Hearn said: ‘Mentally, he’ll break Tommy Fury. I think he’ll mess with Tommy mentally, and I just think by the time they get in the ring, if they do get in the ring, I think Tommy will be defeated before the fight’s even taken place. And I think will win by knockout.’

Paul has victories over MMA legends Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren on his record, but has been criticised for not facing a recognised boxer.

However, he will go toe-to-toe with Fury on February 26 and look to earn a place in the WBC’s cruiserweight top 40. 

 Paul has victories over MMA legends Anderson Silva (above), Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren on his record, but has been criticised for not facing a recognised boxer

A WBC statement confirmed what was on the line for Paul, saying: ‘If Jake Paul wins vs Tommy Fury, the WBC will rank him in the cruiserweight division. 

‘Jake Paul has been close to the WBC for several years… The WBC will not tolerate discrimination against anyone, he deserves the opportunities that any other boxer has.’

Paul was offered a similar incentive when he was due to fight Hasim Rahman Jr last August, with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman tweeting that the 26-year-old would enter their rankings if he won that fight.

That bout was cancelled at short notice over concerns about Rahman Jr making the contracted weight safely. But six months later, Paul will get the same opportunity should he get past Fury.

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