Jake Paul’s boxing journey has always moved fast, sometimes faster than the sport itself prefers. One win can change perceptions, one loss can undo months of positioning. 

This time, it wasn’t just what happened in the ring that mattered, but what followed quietly afterward, reshaping Paul’s standing in the division.

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Jake Paul has been officially removed from the World Boxing Association cruiserweight rankings. Paul was previously ranked as high as No. 14, an unusual but sanctioned move that placed him within theoretical range of world title consideration.

The WBA’s rankings are fluid, but removal typically follows decisive losses or inactivity, and Paul’s latest result triggered both competitive and administrative consequences.

The rankings update reflects the WBA’s stance that recent performance must outweigh market value. Paul’s loss halted his upward trajectory and reopened debate around his readiness for elite opposition at 200 pounds. 

His exit also created space in the rankings for active cruiserweights competing regularly within the division, reinforcing the governing body’s emphasis on consistency and competition.

Against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Paul attempted his biggest leap yet. Joshua controlled the bout, scored multiple knockdowns, and secured a knockout, ending Paul’s night decisively and leaving little room for dispute.

For Paul, the rankings drop does not end his professional ambitions, but it resets them. Any return to world rankings will now require wins against established cruiserweights, not just headline bouts. The next phase of his career will depend less on spectacle and more on substance.

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