Jake Paul has named Errol Spence, Terence Crawford and David Benavidez as his top-three fighters in boxing in a brutal snub to Canelo Alvarez.
The YouTube star's stock has continued to rise in the sport having won his five professional fights so far. Paul has called out some of the sport's biggest names including Alvarez, Gervonta Davis and Floyd Mayweather.
Alvarez was considered arguably the sport's best fighter prior to his r ecent defeat against Russian star Dmitry Bivol. However Paul has quickly shut down any chances of Alvarez making his list when naming his favourite boxers. "I would say Devin Haney, David Benavidez and Errol Spence." Paul was then pushed by a reporter about Alvarez to which he boldly replied: "No not Canelo, the f***."
Haney was the first name from Paul, with the lightweight star having recently been crowned undisputed champion with a dominant performance on foreign soil against George Kambosos Jr. Benavidez is considered one of the best fighters at 168lb but is yet to be granted a shot at a world title with Alvarez currently holding all the marbles.
Meanwhile Errol Spence remains unified champion at welterweight and is edging close than ever to finally settling his long-term rivalry with Terence Crawford before the end of the year. Paul has not spoken of his desire to challenge any of the three listed in his boxing career, but has frequently spoken of his desire to face Alvarez.
The YouTube star plans to end his career with a fight against Alvarez, who has previously suggested he would be open to a challenge from the high-profile fighter. Paul is currently trying to make his own name in boxing and has confirmed his sixth professional fight against seasoned amateur Hasim Rahman Jr.
Who are your pound-for-pound top three in boxing? Let us know in the comments section below
Paul was set to finally settle his rivalry with Tommy Fury at the second time of asking, but the fight was postponed after the British star was left unable to travel to the US for the New York event. The 25-year-old's influence in boxing is continuing to grow having also launched a career as a promoter when helping stage Katie Taylor's win over Amanda Serrano.
He has now claimed that the sport was dying before he launched his career and saved it. "This is why boxing was such a dying sport before I came into it and literally saved the whole entire sport, basically single-handedly, along with some other heavyweights and some lightweights, but mostly because of me boxing was saved, and I’m starting to realise what the problem was," Paul claimed when talking on the MMA Hour.
"That’s why I give the UFC props, that’s why I give Dana White props. But it p***** me off because I just want to get to the ring and do my f***ing job, put on a show for the fans. Tyson Fury ’s afraid to fight Anthony Joshua. Fury’s afraid to fight Oleksandr Usyk. This is why boxing is dying because these fights aren’t mandatory.”
