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Painfully Awkward Moment Jake Paul Given WBA Belt He ‘Hasn’t Earned’

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 16th December 2022.

Jake Paul Belt Video

Jake Paul was presented with a WBA belt for ‘changing the boxing business model’, before attempting to give it back.

This month marked the World Boxing Association’s convention in Orlando, Florida, with special guest, Jake Paul.

Paul (6-0) was announced with a gushing statement, praising him for making a name for himself ‘in the boxing world with an undefeated record against the sport’s biggest names.’ As of writing, he has fought three MMA fighters, a former basketball player, and a YouTuber.

The worship didn’t end there, though. At the convention itself – the hundredth of its kind – Paul was presented with a title belt by WBA President, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, alongside former two-weight world champion, Bernard Hopkins.

To his credit, Paul was reluctant to accept.

“I”m honoured for real, this means a lot. I feel like I haven’t earned this yet though. I feel like I have to actually fight for this. I don’t know. I don’t know.

Thank you. I feel like you guys should hold this until I’m actually fighting for a WBA Championship. I don’t know.”

After joking that he could provide a fight for Paul, Hopkins – who was undisputed middleweight champion – took the belt back for a moment before giving it to him again. The young American eventually conceded to use it as motivation but still said that it wasn’t his yet.

The full exchange was shared on Twitter.

Ironically, a lot of the convention was spent attempting to eliminate unnecessary belts from the WBA rankings – although this was just a symbol rather than a title.

Paul’s last outing was a decision victory over Brazilian MMA legend, Anderson Silva. Amidst calls to ‘fight a real boxer’, he is currently in a third set of negotiations with Tommy Fury, the half-brother of the current world heavyweight champion, Tyson.

Partnering with SHOWTIME and undoubtedly getting the boxing world talking means there could be scope to recognise Paul as an innovator in the sport – although from the reaction online, it seems that most think this gesture was a little premature.