Jake Paul loses boxing ranking after defeat to Anthony Joshua
Jake Paul’s brief spell as a ranked boxer has come to an end following the World Boxing Association’s New Year’s Eve update to its cruiserweight standings, reports BritPanorama.
The American social media star-turned-professional fighter has been dropped from the rankings entirely after suffering a devastating knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight clash last month.
The bout, which took place in Miami in December, saw the former two-time unified heavyweight world champion stop Paul in the sixth round. Bosnia’s Edin Puhalo has now taken the 15th position in the rankings, while Liam Callanan has moved into the 14th spot previously occupied by Paul.
Paul had secured his place in the WBA rankings back in July, entering at number 14 following a points victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The 28-year-old subsequently slipped one position to 15th before being removed altogether in the latest update. Against Joshua, the self-styled ‘Problem Child’ found himself overwhelmed by the British heavyweight’s power, spending considerable portions of the contest retreating from his opponent.
The defeat marked only the second loss in Paul’s 14-fight professional career. The knockout blow left Paul with a fractured jaw in two places, necessitating immediate hospital treatment on the night of the fight. Surgeons inserted titanium plates on both sides of his jaw during the operation, whilst also removing some of his teeth. Medical scans conducted following the procedure revealed no damage to either his brain or spine, with the jaw fracture being the sole significant injury sustained.
The Florida Athletic Commission has placed Paul under an indefinite suspension as a result of his injuries, meaning he will require medical clearance before being permitted to compete again in the state. His original inclusion in the WBA rankings had frustrated many boxing traditionalists who believed he had unfairly jumped ahead of more established contenders. Paul’s recovery period is anticipated to last between five and six weeks, though he is not expected to return to competitive action until at least July.
Despite the severity of his defeat, the 28-year-old remains committed to continuing his boxing career. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions and Paul’s business partner, confirmed the fighter’s intentions during an appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show. Bidarian said: “He is determined to return to boxing in 2026. This is the sport he loves. This is the sport that saved him from the path he was once on.” Paul has indicated his desire to drop back down to cruiserweight for his next contest, having asked fans on social media who they would like to see him face upon his return.
In a sport where reinvention is common, Paul’s story is a reminder of how the stark realities of the ring can reshape career trajectories, not to mention public perception. As he contemplates his comeback, the essential question remains: can he draw on this experience to reclaim his place among the contenders, or is this defeat a pivotal moment in his journey away from boxing’s forefront? Time will tell.
