The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer was ranked No. 14 in July after defeating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.. However, the WBA’s December 31 update shows Paul has now fallen out of the top 15 entirely, slipping from No. 15 and losing his place in the rankings.
Paul’s ranking drop comes after a tough night in the ring against Joshua, who competed at heavyweight. During the fight, Paul spent long stretches moving away from his opponent and began to tire as the bout went on. He was knocked down twice in the fifth round and was eventually stopped in the sixth, marking the second loss of his professional career.
The fight also left Paul with serious injuries. He later revealed that he suffered a broken jaw, which required surgery involving two titanium plates, and also had several teeth removed.
Taking Paul’s place at No. 15 is Bosnia’s Edin Puhalo, who secured his 27th career victory in December.
Paul’s original inclusion in the WBA rankings sparked debate within the boxing world. Many traditional fans and fighters felt his rapid rise came at the expense of more experienced and established contenders. With his latest defeat and removal from the rankings, questions are once again being raised about where Paul fits within professional boxing moving forward.
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