Jake Paul's standing in the professional boxing world has taken a significant hit following his recent high-profile defeat. The World Boxing Association (WBA) has removed the social media star-turned-fighter from its official cruiserweight rankings in the wake of his loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The Fight That Prompted the Fall
The pivotal match occurred on Friday, December 19, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Jake Paul, who had built an undefeated record against a mix of fellow influencers and aging combat sports veterans, stepped into the ring to face one of boxing's most formidable active fighters, Anthony Joshua. The result was a one-sided affair, with Joshua's experience and power proving too much for Paul to handle. The Associated Press captured images of a dejected Paul reacting in his corner during the bout, which was widely seen as a stark reality check for the influencer's boxing ambitions.
Immediate Consequences for Paul's Career
The WBA's decision to drop Paul from its January 2026 rankings, published on January 3, 2026, is a direct consequence of that loss. Rankings in sanctioning bodies like the WBA are fluid and based on recent performance, quality of opposition, and activity. A decisive loss to a top-tier heavyweight, while competing at cruiserweight, severely damaged Paul's credibility in the eyes of the rankings panel. This move effectively ends, for now, Paul's claim to being a ranked contender in a traditional boxing division. It signals that the sport's governing bodies are not swayed by his massive online following when assessing his in-ring accomplishments against elite competition.
What's Next for the Influencer Boxer?
This development forces a critical juncture in Jake Paul's boxing career. Prior to the Joshua fight, his placement in the WBA rankings lent a veneer of legitimacy to his venture. With that now gone, his path forward is unclear. He could choose to rebuild against lower-level opposition to climb back into the rankings, or pivot entirely to the lucrative but less credible realm of celebrity and influencer matches. The loss to Joshua and the subsequent ranking removal underscore the vast gap between internet fame and world-class boxing prowess. For Anthony Joshua, the victory served as a successful tune-up, but for Jake Paul, it has resulted in a tangible demotion within the sport's official hierarchy.
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between boxing's traditional structures and the new wave of celebrity-driven events. While Paul brought unprecedented attention and revenue, his exit from the rankings reaffirms that sustained success requires victories against legitimate, ranked foes.
