Eddie Hearn insists Jake Paul DOESN’T deserve a world ranking

Eddie Hearn has hit out at the decision to guarantee Jake Paul a spot on the WBC rankings if he beats Tommy Fury later this month, claiming the YouTuber-turned-boxer doesn’t deserve it. 

Paul is set to finally lock horns with Fury in Saudi Arabia on February 26, after their two previous showdowns had to be cancelled. Fury pulled out of the first fight in December 2021 with a chest infection, and last August’s bout was nixed after travel issues. 

The pair will now meet at the Diriyah Arena, and the WBC have upped the ante on the fight for Paul, by promising a spot on the world rankings if he defeats Fury. 

The organisation praised the 26-year-old’s dedication to the sport and stated that he deserves the same opportunities as any other competitor in the sport. 

However, it’s a view that isn’t shared by Eddie Hearn, who believes the ranking is underserved and it’s a decision that’s been made for commercial reasons.

Paul has been guaranteed a place on the WBC rankings if he beats Tommy Fury later this month

The boxing promoter told Seconds Out : ‘Commercially I get it, I don’t think either fighter deserves that spot but it’s boxing. It’s a good fight and certainly the winner will be undefeated and there are other fighters in the top 15 of that governing body that don’t deserve to be there either.’

Paul was originally promised a ranking spot by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman if he had beaten Hasim Rahman last year. 

However, the social media star cancelled that fight and has since gone on to keep his undefeated recording by dispatching of UFC legend Anderson Silva for his sixth professional win, last October. 

Fury also maintains an unbeaten record in his eight professional fights, but hasn’t fought in a professional capacity for over a year, following the cancellation of his bout with Paul Bamba in November. 

The pair were both in attendance for the Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde in London last month and had to be separated whilst doing promotion for their fight.

Hearn stood by stance on both fighters in an interview with iFL TV and admitted that a win for Paul would make a statement, but no one that should see him take a spot on the WBC rankings. 

Hearn reiterated; ‘Sometimes governing bodies have to live in that commercial world as well. Tommy Fury’s a proper fighter and Jake Paul would make a statement if he won that fight. Not a statement that he can challenge for a world title, but, ultimately, there’s a little bit of publicity in there. 

Is it right? Not really, because there’s fighters that deserve to be in the top 15 much more than Jake Paul, but it’s the world we live in.’ 

Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will meet next month in Saudi Arabia, the third time the bout has been scheduled to take place