Jake Paul Dropped From WBA Top 15 Ranking

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 1:30 AM ET

Jake Paul has suffered another setback, with the news he is no longer ranked by the WBA in the cruiserweight rankings.

Paul suffered a broken jaw last month after Anthony Joshua knocked him out with a right hand in the sixth round. It was the first stoppage defeat, his second overall, as he is expected to drop back down to cruiserweight. Two of his last three bouts were at heavyweight, the other being against Mike Tyson last year, while his last win was against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. last June. The victory over Chavez saw him get ranked to 14th. However, the WBA has now opted to fill his slot with Edin Puhalo, while Liam Callanan also secured a position in the updated list.

Despite the setback, Paul remains adamant that his championship dreams are not dead. In his first statements since leaving the hospital, he confirmed his intention to return to the cruiserweight division once his jaw has fully healed. While he plans to take a much-needed hiatus from the ring, Paul has already begun teasing a 2026 campaign aimed at capturing a cruiserweight world title.

What’s Next

Paul has stated he plans to spend the first half of the year in Europe supporting his fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, as she competes in speed skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This break serves as a strategic “reset” for Paul to allow his body to heal from the Joshua knockout.

“I’m gonna take some time off to go support [his fiancée] Jutta [Leerdam] at the Olympics. Then she’s going to move to Puerto Rico. Move her here. Maybe go snowboarding or something. I have such baby fever. Like, I want kids so bad,” Paul stated

The move back to cruiserweight (200 lbs) is a necessity for his safety. Paul’s foray into the heavyweight division was always viewed as a “money play.” By dropping back down, he aims to reclaim his spot in the WBA rankings. His goal is to target a “bridge” fight in late 2026—likely against a veteran cruiserweight—to prove he can still compete at the level that saw him beat Julio César Chávez Jr. last summer.

Jake’s Return

“He feels good. Of course, during the day there are periods of strong pain and periods when there is no pain. Actually, recovery will last 5-6 weeks. And he is determined to return to boxing in 2026. This is the sport he loves. This is the sport that saved him from the path he was once on. As strange as it sounds, I am to some extent glad that he didn’t win.

“I know it might sound harsh, but imagine: if Jake Paul in five years in the sport, and actually in three to three and a half years at the level of top opponents, defeated Anthony Joshua? What would be the motivation to continue progressing, putting even more into training, working even harder? If he defeated Anthony Joshua?,” Nakisa Bidarian (Jake’s promoter) revealed

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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