Ahead of his fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on tonight, live on DAZN PPV, Paul has claimed that he is the ‘King of Boxing’ and has a legacy which surpasses the likes of Muhammad Ali.

Coupled with that is Paul’s frequent desire to win a world title, and this clash with Chavez Jr could be the start of that journey.

For many, tonight’s fight is Paul’s first real test against a legitimate boxer.

Chavez Jr boasts a 54-6-1 (34 KOs) professional record and was once a WBC middleweight champion, along with going the full 12-round distance with pound-for-pound great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Compared to the likes of an old Mike Tyson, former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and reality star Tommy Fury, facing Chavez Jr will prove whether Paul has what it takes to share the ring with boxing’s best.

Paul’s decision to face Chavez Jr is one that has been applauded by boxing legend and promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes the latter.

While De La Hoya can at times be an unpredictable character, he has been someone who has kept these ‘crossover’ fights at arm’s length, but with Paul’s boxing credibility rising, ‘The Golden Boy’ would have been forced to take notice at some point.

That time has arrived and speaking on the latest appearance of DAZN’s Ariel x Ade: The Boxing Show, De La Hoya praised ‘The Problem Child’.

“The only reason I got involved with this is because he is fighting a real fighter now,” he said.

“Julio Cesar Chavez went 12 rounds with Canelo; he is an ex-world champion in boxing. It’s a real legit fight; I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m questioning what Chavez Jr we will see, will he be in great shape, will he not be in shape. Will he make weight?

“Ultimately you have to tell yourself, Jake Paul congratulations, this is the real first legitimate world champion fighter you’re fighting.”

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There is a lot riding on this contest for Paul.

After a win over Tyson in November where the viewing numbers distracted everyone from what transpired in the ring, Paul’s stock took a hit.

But he still remains to be someone who fighters are interested in facing. Take Canelo Alvarez, a contract between the two had been signed for a fight last May before Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season swooped in for the Mexican’s services on a four-fight deal.

This move did leave egg on Paul’s face, but it did not deter him from continuing to call for mega fights against the likes of Canelo and surprisingly Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.

However, if he wants to be considered as a legitimate boxing star, a world title is surely the correct route to achieve this status.

The path is one which many fans believe Paul cannot take due to the level of the previous opponents he’s faced, but De La Hoya believes that it could be a reality for the entertainment personality turned boxer.

A win over Chavez Jr in his eyes would show that Paul is a fighter who needs to be taken seriously and provide that shot a high ranked opponent to put himself into contention for a major belt.

“I think he can win a world title; it’s going to take time. That is all it’s going to take is time, and experience.

“Facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, world champion, 12 rounds with Canelo, it’s experience for him. If he passes that test, let’s say he knocks him out in the later rounds, it will be a huge confidence boost for Jake Paul.

“It will silence a lot of doubters, and he can move on to the next challenge, that next challenge is likely a top 10 in the world.”

Whoever that top 10 opponent is, we will have to wait.

Paul has business to settle in Anaheim where he will come up against an opponent looking to preserve his family’s legendary status in the sport of boxing.

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV tonight. Buy the PPV now here