Social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul is now eligible for a WBA title shot

Jake Paul has entered the World Boxing Association’s cruiserweight rankings, making the YouTuber-turned-boxer eligible to fight for a world title

Jake Paul has entered the World Boxing Association’s cruiserweight rankings, making the YouTuber-turned-boxer eligible to fight for a world title.

The WBA slotted Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) at No. 14 in the latest edition of its rankings late Monday night, two days after Paul beat 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision in Anaheim, California.

The WBA’s decision to rank Paul likely means the sanctioning body would allow him to fight WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who won his latest title defense in the penultimate bout in Anaheim. The fighters have not agreed to a deal, but Paul and Ramírez stared each other down during the post-fight news conference.

“I want tougher fighters. I want to be a world champion,” Paul said after outpointing Chávez, who had fought once in the previous four years. “Zurdo looked slow ... tonight. That’d be easy work, too.”

While Paul’s ranking is a remarkable milestone for a social media behemoth and former Disney Channel star who only decided to become a boxer about six years ago, the WBA’s decision reflects Paul’s incredible financial potential more than his fighting resume.