News that Jake Paul would be introduced into the WBC world rankings with a win over Tommy Fury has split the opinion of fans.
What’s largely agreed, though, is that the WBC’s announcement of their decision was at least partly an attempt to piggy back on the commercial success of the American.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who in some ways can be credited with Paul’s rise in the sport, was asked by IFL TV if the winner of the upcoming 185lb catchweight bout should be ranked.
“Of course not. But we live in a commercial world, and sometimes governing bodies have to live in that commercial world as well. Tommy Fury’s a proper fighter and Jake Paul would make a statement if he won that fight.
Not a statement that he can challenge for a world title, but, ultimately, there’s a little bit of publicity in there. Is it right? Not really, because there’s fighters that deserve to be in the top 15 much more than Jake Paul, but it’s the world we live in.”
In a separate interview with Seconds Out, Hearn took a swipe at the ranking system more generally.
“I don’t think either fighter deserves that spot, but it’s boxing. You know, it’s a good fight and certainly the winner will be undefeated and there are other fights in the top 15 that don’t deserve to be there either.”
Although the promoter alludes to the WBC top 15, it’s worth noting that the sanctioning body didn’t specify where Paul would be ranked. They list a top 40 on their website which seems more realistic. The 8-0 Fury is not mentioned.