Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Jake Paul Puts Canelo Álvarez on Blast After Fight Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dillon T. Graff | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 2:22 AM ET

Jake Paul didn’t hold back after learning Canelo Alvarez had backed out of their expected fight in favor of a lucrative four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

In a video posted to social media, Paul accused the undisputed super middleweight champion of ducking him for a bigger payday.

“The truth is, you could be bought,” Paul said, calling out Alvarez directly. “You’re a money-hungry squirrel chasing your next nut. The truth is, these sports-washing, shady characters are paying you hundreds of millions of dollars to stop our fight from happening because they couldn't fathom the fact that they can’t create a bigger fight than me and you.”

Exposing Canelo‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/oY5A6isKVR
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 8, 2025

Paul had been expecting a May 3 showdown in Las Vegas, with reports indicating both fighters had already signed a contract and were preparing for an announcement.

However, Alvarez instead committed to a deal with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, which includes a high-profile September 13 fight against Terence Crawford.

Alalshikh dismissed Paul’s frustration, telling ESPN that Canelo only fights real fighters, which was a clear shot at Paul’s transition from YouTube stardom to boxing.

Paul responded by questioning Alvarez’s willingness to face elite competition.

“Claiming he’s not fighting YouTubers. [Explitive],” said Paul. “Claiming he’s fighting real fighters, but he’s fighting Crawford, a 135-pound fighter, and running from a real fighter like David Benavidez.”

Paul, who holds an 11-1 record, has become one of boxing's top attractions despite his unconventional path. He ended his rant with one final shot at Alvarez.

“You call me a YouTuber, but you’ve never had a boxing match as big as mine. I promise you one thing, Canelo. Any fight that you do this year, mine will be bigger.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: