'I found out I was ranked below Jake Paul... I was disgusted!'

Daily Mirror

07-07-2025

Undefeated star Craig Parker has hit out at Paul after he was placed below the YouTuber-turned-boxer in the latest WBA cruiserweight rankings
The only boxer ranked below Jake Paul has expressed his disgust after the YouTuber-turned-boxer was placed above him in the latest WBA cruiserweight rankings.
Paul, 28, returned to the ring last weekend for the first time since defeating heavyweight legend Mike Tyson last November. The 'Problem Child' faced off against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a cruiserweight showdown in Anaheim. The former middleweight champion appeared to be a mere shadow of his former self, with his lack of activity in the ring clearly affecting his performance.
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From the get-go, Paul dominated the fight before eventually securing a victory on points. Immediately after the match, the YouTuber-turned-boxer challenged several big names in the sport, including Anthony Joshua, Gilberto Ramirez, Badou Jack and Gervonta Davis.
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Earlier this week, it was revealed that Paul had been placed in the top 15 and now finds himself five spots below ex-world champion Chris Billam-Smith. The only fighter ranked below the 'Problem Child' is undefeated sensation Craig Parker, who boasts an impressive record of 20-0 - all wins by knockout, reports All Out Fighting.
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Understandably, the American was livid following the update. In a chat with All Out Fighting, Parker shared his immediate reaction to the news. "I was getting up in the morning and the first thing I saw that popped up on my news feed was 'Jake Paul ranked No. 14 in the WBA.' I said 'that cannot be true?' Because I am ranked 14th by the WBA. It really felt like a low blow and a slap to the face. I really felt disgusted," an irate Parker expressed.
"My recognition, my hard work... all of that stuff I have been doing over the years... sleeping on couches, getting up and running in the cold, running in the heat in the snow and the rain. Listen, we appreciate Jake Paul, the eyes that Jake Paul brings to boxing. We appreciate his platform from YouTube and then bringing celebrities to fight each other in the square ring. We really enjoy that.
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"But him being a boxer now? Him calling himself a 'boxer' and a 'solidified boxer'... no! He has not laid any ground work. He has not done nothing that we have had to endure to become what we are today. And to move me down and to put me at number 14, it was disgraceful. It was very hurtful. I was like 'if this is what God has got planned... because God does not make mistakes. If this is what God has planned, well this is what God has planned.'
"But I know, Jake Paul has knocked on the wrong door and that is the door of Craig Parker. I am looking forward to hearing a call or hearing something back from him and let him know 'listen if you want to be solidified in boxing... you knocked on the wrong door this time.' But I am going to open it up and invite you in. Again, I felt disrespected. And I guess the guys who are working hard that are under me and above me felt disrespected too because we come from humble beginnings."
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He added: "For this guy (Paul) to come in and be recognised in the WBA by a sanctioned body and then turn around and talking about fighting for a world title... he is nowhere close to even thinking about being a world champion." The top American cruiserweight contender, eager to get back in the ring this September, is ready to face off with the social media sensation.
The 34-year-old last stepped into the ring in April, delivering a devastating knockout to Phillip Penson. Parker's upcoming fight, scheduled in the UK, aims to elevate his international standing and ascend the rankings. Focused on his upcoming dust-up later this year, with an opponent yet to be confirmed, the fighter is determined to take down the 'Problem Child' in the near future.
Parker exuded confidence when discussing a potential bout with Jake Paul, stating: "Four rounds. I have got to give him a couple of rounds because he is going to be in shape. But if I hit him in the chin, maybe the first round. But all the stuff with Jake Paul has come to a point where he knocked on my door... and I am ready to end the whole Jake Paul shenanigans. He has been putting out a lot of crap and I am ready to flush it. I am ready to end it all. If he wants to continue to box after me and him... if he is able to or if he wants to, that is all up to him. He can choose his own destiny."
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Parker didn't hold back in his assessment of Paul's boxing career, adding: "I believe it can happen and if he really wants to say he is a cruiserweight... because you have got to understand. Look who he is calling out! Anthony Joshua, Gervonta Davis, but when he fought a real cruiserweight, light-heavyweight... Tommy Fury is really a light-heavyweight. When he really fought a light-heavyweight, he got beat. Then, he goes to cruiserweight and he calls out Tommy Fury that probably is not a cruiserweight... but he is going to get beat again!".
"Because he is not a real fighter. It takes a lot of hard work for this. Some of us have got to work a job and then go to the gym. Some of us have no way to get to the gym. We are walking, we are running. Some of us going to the gym on an empty stomach. We put in hours, we put in blood, sweat and tears on the canvas through sparring, through fights.
"If he is ready to do everything to call himself that... can he? Yeah, if he has got the will and the desire and the dedication... can he do it? We never know what anybody's future is. But today, nowhere near close." After delivering a fiery tirade, Parker issued a final challenge to his adversary, expressing his eagerness to confront the YouTuber-turned-boxer in the ring. "You knocked on the door. I am inviting you in and I am ready to end it all. This is the end of Jake Paul's career."