- Oscar De La Hoya thinks Jake Paul has the potential to become a world champion
- “The Golden Boy” is positive the YouTuber could fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the future
Many people are still not taking Jake Paul seriously but Oscar De La Hoya is certainly not one of them. In fact, the boxing Hall of Famer even sees “The Problem Child” reaching big heights in boxing, a couple of years from now.
Jake Paul the future world champion
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, De La Hoya stressed that no matter what people think or say about Paul, he’s convinced that the YouTuber-turned-pro boxer has what it takes to possibly beat “great champions.”
“Let me tell you on thing about Jake Paul, he’s the real deal, I’m going to tell you that,” De La Hoya said. “With only four or five fights and the way he’s taking it serious, Jake Paul is the real deal. And I dare anyone who has boxing experience, who has MMA experience, to call him out because I’ll tell you one thing, this guy can beat a lot of good champions and even maybe great champions.”
De La Hoya went on to rave about Paul’s exceptional work ethic as well.
“Jake Paul is taking it serious,” the Golden Boy promoter added. “This is not a one-off, a two-off, a three-off, no. He wants to become a world champion and there’s no other way out of becoming world champion, you have to fight the very best. I just want to say that but Jake Paul is doing the right thing. He’s on his way to becoming a contender and he’s on his way to becoming a world contender and then a world champion, if he keeps it up.”
Millions of followers is “wonderful for the sport”
Paul may have not gained millions of followers on social media because of his boxing skills but for De La Hoya, he doesn’t see anything wrong about it. By contrast, the Olympic gold medalist even reckoned that Paul’s massive fanbase is actually good for boxing.
“Look, all the social media stuff, everybody wants to be him, think about it, everybody wants followers, everyone’s on social media,” De La Hoya pointed out. “What’s wrong with him having 19-plus million followers, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s wonderful for the sport.”
“Enough with that BS, right?,” he continued. “Let him be, he’s doing the right thing, he’s great for boxing and I really hope he does become world champion.”
Alvarez vs. Paul could happen but not now
Though still far-fetched at this point, De La Hoya is also certain that in time, Paul can also rightfully earn a crack at “elite” fighters like Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“Look, anything can happen in boxing,” the 49-year-old said when asked to comment about Paul calling out Alvarez. “I think, in order to fight an elite fighter like that, like Canelo, you have to prove yourself. You have to have world title. You have to fight a few contenders, a few world champions. You can’t just go in there. [Because] It wouldn’t be fair for other world champions waiting in line to fight Canelo.”
“Jake Paul has all the time in the world,” he added. “[He’s a] Young guy, he can work himself up the ladder, [and] possibly fight Canelo in the near future, who knows. A couple years from now, maybe. I think Jake Paul, the way he keeps proving himself, the way he trains in the gym…cause I hear, I have voices everywhere, I have eyes everywhere, and Jake Paul, he’s working his a**off. I’m actually proud of that.”
Some might still find it hard to agree to De La Hoya’s assessment of Paul. However, given “The Golden Boy’s” stature in the sport, he could be also be right about the internet star.
1 thought on “Oscar De La Hoya Says Jake Paul Can Someday Beat ‘Great Champions’, Fight Canelo Alvarez”
There is a reason he is nicknamed Oscar de la coca…smfh