Ryan Garcia has revealed the big reason why Jake Paul isn’t a professional boxer ahead of his bout on Friday.
The 26-year-old will compete on May 2nd in Times Square against outspoken rival Roland ‘Rolly’ Romero at welterweight.
Paul has hit the headlines with his next fight against former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
But Garcia doesn’t see the Youtube star as a legitimate professional boxer for a big reason.
Speaking to USA Today, he said: “He’s a wild card. I mean, I don’t know if he’s a boxer.
“At the end of the day, he’s never fought in a ranked match at his weight class. I don’t even know what his weight class is… so can’t really say that he’s legitimate.”
The American also criticised the level of Cesar Chavez who hasn’t competed in the ring since 2021.
But he admitted the Mexican is a ‘good name’ for the 28-year-old.
He said: “But he’s had a lot of big fights because of who he is.’’
“(Chavez) hasn’t been good for a long, long, long time.
“He’s already lost to Anderson Silva. And Jake lost to Anderson Silva. So it’s like, I can’t really consider this something.
“But it’s going to be a big fight regardless. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a good name… So they’re going to make a lot of money. I think that’s key to (Paul’s) career.”
Future Jake Paul opponent?
This, however, has not stopped ‘King Ry’ putting his name in the ring as a future opponent.
“I mean, he’s going to run out of opponents,’’ he explained.
“There’s only so many 40-year-old dudes out there in the world that have a name… I think that once he’s done fighting these old men and he is ready for a real fight, he could come see me.’’
It was thought that Garcia’s former foe Gervonta Davis was all set to be announced as Paul’s next opponent.
However, this potentially shocking bout was never confirmed after Davis’ majority draw with Lamont Roach.
This reason and his former association with Paul at the beginning of his journey into boxing only furthered his appetite for a bout.
Garcia said: “If he could fight Tank Davis, he could fight me.
“Davis is smaller than me. I’m the one that taught (Paul) boxing, so he has to see me.”
Now he will look ahead to Friday in New York when he boxes on the same card as bitter rival Devin Haney.
The pair squared off last year, which Garcia won originally.
But the result was overturned by the New York Athletic Commission after it was revealed he failed two separate drugs tests.
If both can come through their fights, they will be scheduled for a rematch at the end of the year.
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