YouTube sensation turned professional boxer Jake Paul is already looking beyond his monumental fight with Anthony Joshua this Friday, setting his sights on a long-awaited clash with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez.
The Next Target: Unfinished Business with Canelo
Despite facing the toughest challenge of his career against former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on Friday, December 19th, 2025, Paul has confirmed his ambition to finally settle his rivalry with Alvarez. The 'Problem Child' has repeatedly called out the former super-middleweight champion, and the fight now appears closer than ever to becoming a reality.
Paul's planned bout with Gervonta 'Tank' Davis last month was scrapped after Davis faced serious legal allegations. This has only sharpened his focus on securing a legacy-defining match against one of boxing's biggest names. "That’s one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing," Paul stated back in September. "After I beat this guy, Canelo’s on the list for sure."
The Road to a Potential Showdown
The path to a Paul vs Alvarez fight has been winding. The two were initially expected to meet in the ring in May 2025, but Alvarez opted to sign a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season instead. Since then, Paul defeated ex-champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, while Alvarez suffered a surprising defeat to Terence Crawford in September.
Alvarez's camp has historically dismissed a fight with the social media star, but his business manager, Richard Schaefer, has recently opened the door. "Maybe at one point, why not? I could definitely see that happening," Schaefer told The Sun. He cautioned that Alvarez is currently focused on top-tier competition but suggested the landscape could change.
The Saudi Connection and Netflix Spotlight
Paul believes the key to making the fight happen lies with Saudi Arabia's influential boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh. "I think Turki is the man who can make it happen," Paul told ESPN. "I'm open to it, Turki has expressed some interest in it, and, obviously, Canelo had already signed up to fight me, so I think all that is left to do is to make it happen."
First, all attention is on the professional heavyweight showdown in Miami, which will be streamed live globally on Netflix. UK fans can access the fight for free by taking advantage of Sky's £15 Essential TV bundle, which includes a Netflix subscription.
If Paul can deliver a statement performance against the formidable Joshua, the public and financial pressure for a blockbuster fight with Canelo Alvarez will reach unprecedented levels, potentially setting the stage for one of the most lucrative events in boxing history.
