Oscar De La Hoya has backed Jake Paul to become a boxing world champion despite the YouTuber having boxed just five times as a professional.
The legendary six-division world champion tasted the success of becoming champion eleven times in his career, and believes that YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has what it takes to win a major belt. The social media star has yet to face anybody who has boxed before, but has knocked out all four of his professional opponents, as well as the one white collar bout he had in 2018.
And De La Hoya argues that if Paul can maintain his level of development in the sport, he could eventually become a legitimate contender, and eventually a world champion. Speaking with TMZ Sports, the former fighter said : “Let me tell you one thing about Jake Paul. He’s the real deal. I’m going to tell you that.
"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 or MMA experience to call him out because this guy can beat a lot of good champions, maybe great champions. He's on to something because he's taking it serious.
"This is not a one-off, two-off, three-off, no. He wants to become a world champion and there's no way out of becoming world champion. You have to fight the very best and he's doing it right!.
Paul is routinely criticised for his choices of opponent, with the common opinion with experts and fans being that he has yet to face a legitimate boxer. But De La Hoya thinks it's just a matter of time until that is put right.
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"He’s on his way to becoming a contender, and he’s on his way to becoming a world contender, then a world champion. If he keeps it up, with all the social media stuff, look, everybody wants to be him! Think about it, everybody wants followers.
"On social media, what's wrong with him having 19million+ followers? It's actually wonderful for the sport so enough with that BS, let him be. He's doing the right thing, he's great for boxing and I really hope he does become world champion.
"Jake Paul has all the time in the world, he's a young guy, he can work his way up the ladder. He could possibly fight Canelo [Alvarez, one of the pound-for-pound best boxers in the world] in the near future, who knows? A couple of years from now, maybe.
"The way he keeps proving himself, the way he trains in the gym, I have eyes everywhere and Jake Paul is working his a** off. I'm actually proud of that because he picked the sport that I grew up in that is very difficult so kudos to him."
