Jake Paul criticized by Piers Morgan after win over Chavez Jr in lackluster boxing match
Piers Morgan. PHOTO: AFP
Jake Paul added another win to his professional boxing record on Saturday night, defeating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision. Despite the victory marking what many expected to be Paul’s toughest challenge yet, the fight failed to impress critics or fans, and reignited his public feud with British broadcaster Piers Morgan.
The cruiserweight bout, held on June 28, lacked the excitement and knockout spectacle Paul had promised in the lead-up. Chavez Jr. delivered minimal offense in the early rounds and only showed flashes of his former form late in the fight. Fans booed during portions of the match due to its slow pace and perceived lack of competitiveness.
BREAKING: I had a better fight with Jake Paul on Thursday than the unwatchable farce that took place tonight. The guy’s lining his pockets with buckets of $$$$ - but he’s killing boxing with this boring staged bullsh*t against older fighters way past their prime. pic.twitter.com/hdNMxds4EX
Piers Morgan voiced his frustration on X shortly after the bout, calling the event “an unwatchable farce” and accusing Paul of harming the sport. “BREAKING: I had a better fight with Jake Paul on Thursday than the unwatchable farce that took place tonight... He’s killing boxing with this boring staged bulls**t against older fighters way past their prime,” he wrote.
Critics argue Paul continues to face opponents past their prime, pointing to Chavez Jr.—once a WBC middleweight champion—who hasn’t been a top contender in nearly a decade. While Chavez previously fought Canelo Alvarez and vied for titles, his performance has declined significantly in recent years, making him a target for criticism over his selection as Paul’s opponent.
Despite the backlash, Paul remained undeterred. At the post-fight press conference, the 28-year-old called out several top-tier boxers, including Anthony Joshua, Gervonta Davis, and Tommy Fury — the only man to have defeated him.
“I want tougher fighters. I want to be world champion,” Paul said, reaffirming his ambitions, though skepticism from boxing traditionalists shows no signs of fading.