Óscar Valdez: “Jake Paul has a slim chance of becoming a world champion”

Former world boxing champion Óscar Valdez isn’t ruling out the possibility of Jake Paul becoming a world champion... but he’s not holding his breath either. In a candid interview with AS México, Valdez acknowledged that while Paul has made strides in the ring, his path has been far less grueling than that of traditional contenders.

Jake Paul ranked by the the WBA

“Jake Paul could be ranked globally,” Valdez said. “People still see him as a YouTuber, but if you really look at his career, he’s fought decently. Not like a world-class fighter who started out with tough bouts. He started slow and eventually faced Tommy Fury, who’s a legitimate boxer. So yeah, he could be ranked—I’m not sure if he’s top 10, 15, or 20—but it’s possible.”

Still, Valdez was quick to temper expectations. He believes Paul isn’t ready to chase a World Boxing Council (WBC) title just yet. “If he stays in cruiserweight or moves up to heavyweight, I don’t think he lasts even one round against Andy Ruiz. And against Zurdo Ramírez at cruiserweight? Maybe five rounds, tops.”

Valdez pointed to past examples like Sergio “Maravilla” Martínez, who debuted late in life and still managed to become a world champion. “It’s happened before,” he said. “So yes, Jake Paul has a chance—but it’s a very slim one.”

Back to his roots: Valdez returns to Nogales

While Valdez shared his thoughts on Paul’s career, he’s also gearing up for his own next fight—against Richard Medina. What makes this bout especially meaningful is its location: Nogales, Sonora - Valdez’s hometown.

Valdez emphasized the importance of strategy and adaptability. “Everything depends on the opponent,” he explained. “You can have the best defensive game plan, but boxing always throws curveballs. When I was training with Manny Robles and fought Scott, we planned to stay back and win round by round. But it turned into a toe-to-toe slugfest.”

Now, Valdez is focused on controlled aggression. “We’re training to be aggressive—but smart about it. If the opponent wants to box, we’ll push the pace and beat him to the punch. That’s what we’re working on right now: being sharper in the ring.”

This fight is scheduled for 10 rounds at the Binational Dome in Nogales, Sonora, on September 9, 2025.