The boxing world is buzzing with excitement after Jake Paul accepted Daniel Dubois’ challenge for a fight that could shake up the heavyweight division. Following Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer has been approached by several big names, including the IBF heavyweight champion himself.
Jake Paul’s recent win against Tyson — a former undisputed world heavyweight champion — has certainly made waves. Paul earned a unanimous decision after eight two-minute rounds, marking yet another milestone in his unorthodox boxing career. The fight, which streamed live on Netflix, stirred controversy due to the significant age gap between the two fighters. Tyson, at 58 years old, was notably older than the 27-year-old Paul, which sparked debate about the fairness of the bout.
Nevertheless, the event turned out to be a financial success, with Tyson reportedly pocketing around $20 million and Paul walking away with a whopping $40 million. This success has attracted attention from numerous boxing icons, including Artur Beterbiev and Carl Froch, who have been reaching out to the social media star-turned-fighter.
But now, it’s Daniel Dubois who has called out Jake Paul for a much bigger challenge: fighting for the IBF heavyweight world title. On November 19, Dubois, known for his powerful knockout ability, took to social media to extend the challenge to Paul. In a direct message, Dubois wrote, “Hi Jake, good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world? This is Daniel Dubois calling you out. Let’s get it on.”
Paul quickly responded to the challenge by sharing a screenshot of their conversation on social media, alongside a playful picture of a ticket dispenser with the words “get in line.” His response was filled with his usual bravado: “Man has been boxing for 12 years, has over 100 fights between amateur and pro, and fought on my undercard…hahaha,” Paul wrote. He followed up with a snarky remark: “But f*** it…I’m going to have Nakisa talk to Frank Warren and get you in line for the throne. Unlike Artur, at least you have a few thousand fans.”
The back-and-forth between the two fighters has only added fuel to the growing anticipation of a potential showdown. Paul’s response suggests he is not backing down from the challenge, despite the years of experience and the hundreds of fights Dubois has under his belt.
Following his triumph, a highly anticipated rematch with Joshua was scheduled for February 2025. However, due to the quick turnaround, Joshua may not be ready in time, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn. As a result, Dubois and his team, led by promoter Frank Warren, are exploring alternative options — and Jake Paul might just be the perfect opponent.
This possible fight between Paul and Dubois could draw massive attention, particularly as it involves a YouTuber taking on an established world champion for a major title. Paul, despite his relatively short boxing career, has proved that he knows how to generate buzz and bring in the crowds. Whether or not he’s ready for a legitimate title fight against a fighter like Dubois is another question, but the idea of it has certainly gotten the boxing world talking.
For Paul, this could be the next step in his evolution as a fighter, moving from celebrity bouts to legitimate championship opportunities. For Dubois, a win over Paul would solidify his status as one of the top heavyweights in the world and help him gain more mainstream recognition.
As both sides continue to trade barbs online, the fight may very well come down to the business side of things — with negotiations between Paul’s team and Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren likely to play a big role in making this fight happen. If the bout does go through, it could be one of the most talked-about events in recent boxing history, combining the world of social media stardom with the intensity of professional boxing.
In the meantime, fans are eagerly awaiting further developments. Will Paul accept the challenge and face Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title? Or is this just another online exchange to stir the pot? Only time will tell, but the hype around this potential fight is undeniable.
