WBC president responds after Jake Paul makes huge claim he will fight Canelo Alvarez for $200m

Jake Paul’s pursuit of a blockbuster fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has taken another turn after World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman responded publicly to claims that negotiations are once again underway for a potential super-fight worth $200 million.The matchup had previously been close to materialising before a planned May 2025 bout in Las Vegas collapsed when Alvarez instead signed a lucrative multi-fight agreement with Riyadh Season. Now, talks surrounding the contest have resurfaced, again pairing one of boxing’s biggest modern legends against one of the sport’s most controversial crossover figures, with questions already emerging about whether any governing body would officially sanction the fight given the enormous gap in experience between the two men. Paul’s boxing future had looked uncertain only months ago following the most damaging defeat of his career against former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was knocked out in the sixth round of that fight after suffering a double jaw fracture that sidelined him for months and sparked serious questions about whether he should continue competing. Speaking previously to Ariel Helwani, Paul admitted doctors had even discussed the possibility that he may never fight again. “I’m getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We’ll see what the doctors say,” Paul explained. “I think I’ll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility.” But despite those concerns, Paul later dramatically claimed he was already in talks to fight four-weight world champion Canelo Alvarez and insisted he had secured a staggering $200m offer for the Mexican star. Speaking to Betr, Paul said: “Canelo, I have the $200 million for you, easy money. Jake vs Canelo, let’s get it done. This is what the fans have been waiting for. This is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in boxing. “Canelo said he’s down on the phone, so we’re going to make it happen. I have the $200 million. I think that’s going to be the next fight. Sign the contract, Canelo. Much respect to you. Let’s make the biggest fight in boxing happen.” The possibility of a Paul-Alvarez fight immediately raised questions about sanctioning because of the enormous difference in pedigree between the two fighters. Canelo Alvarez is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of his generation. The Mexican star turned professional at just 15 years old and has gone on to win world titles across four different weight classes, becoming the first undisputed super middleweight champion in boxing history. As of 2026, Alvarez holds a professional record of 63 wins, three defeats and two draws, with 39 knockouts. His résumé includes major fights against elite opponents across multiple eras and divisions, including his trilogy with Gennady Golovkin. Paul, meanwhile, only began boxing in 2018 after building his fame online. That contrast naturally led to speculation over whether a governing body such as the WBC would approve the matchup.Speaking through Hard Rock Bet, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said no official request had yet been made, but also suggested Paul had earned greater respect within boxing after facing Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua. “Well, I don’t know. We don’t speculate. We have not received a request for sanctioning,” Sulaiman said, as cited by SPORTbible. “I believe Jake Paul proved to everyone and cleaned up his legacy when he went and fought Mike Tyson and then Anthony Joshua, a former heavyweight champion. “I mean, nobody now can claim that Jake Paul is fake. We’ve been supporting Jake Paul since the beginning, since he was an amateur fighter. “He was going to be ranked if he defeated Tommy Fury, and now to have gone out and fought Anthony Joshua, and lasted a couple of rounds, I mean, you have to give him credit. “Now, to have him fight Canelo, we will see. I don’t want to speculate one way or another. But it’s our duty to make the best things happen for the sport.” Even by modern boxing standards, a potential Paul-Canelo matchup would instantly become one of the most commercially significant fights the sport could produce. Canelo remains one of the biggest attractions in global boxing because of both his achievements and crossover popularity. Over the course of his career, he has unified titles, headlined major pay-per-views around the world and established himself as one of the defining fighters of his era. For Paul, the fight would represent another attempt to force his way into boxing’s traditional elite after years of criticism from sections of the sport who questioned the legitimacy of his rise. Sulaiman’s comments also reflected how perceptions around Paul have shifted in some parts of boxing following his willingness to face far more experienced opposition, even after suffering a brutal defeat against Joshua. Whether the fight actually materialises remains unclear, but the fact that the WBC president did not immediately dismiss the possibility only added more intrigue to one of the sport’s most controversial proposed matchups.