There is an old Japanese expression: “One who draws a sword must be prepared to see blood.” However, on Friday we saw Canelo Alvarez bailing on a fight with Jake Paul at the last second, and it might have been the smartest decision he has ever made. Reportedly, ‘Cinnamon’ had agreed to fight the YouTuber on May 3 and had even signed a supposed contract. However, he backed out at the last possible second and instead signed a four-fight deal with the Riyadh Season, leaving Paul out and alone in the cold.
Now, ‘The Problem Child’ has loads of problems and needs a solution quickly. With Canelo backing out, he has an empty slot for his next fight which he needs to fill as soon as possible. Furthermore, no opponent can actually measure up to the Mexican legend, even Paul knows that. However, it looks like a promising opportunity, against an active real boxer, has come knocking for ‘El Gallo.’
Terence Crawford’s friend offers to step in
On Saturday, Nebraskaian super middleweight and one of Terence Crawford‘s close friends, Steven Nelson called out Jake Paul and presented himself as a possible replacement for Canelo Alvarez. The Omaha native took to his ‘X’ and posted an edited poster of him and Paul, asking the latter to “Sign The Contract.”
Aye @jakepaul since Canelo is fighting my brother @terencecrawford instead of you, me and you can fight at whatever weight you want
TIME TO FIGHT A REAL…ACTIVE… BOXER, JAKE!!! pic.twitter.com/s5DZOJkh5O
— Steven “So Cold” Nelson (@SoColdNelson) February 8, 2025
He wrote, “Aye @jakepaul since Canelo is fighting my brother @terencecrawford instead of you, me and you can fight at whatever weight you want,” claiming that he is ready to fill in for the May date. Just two weeks ago, Steven Nelson had a match against the No. 1 ranked WBO super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco, where he suffered his first career defeat after 20 bouts. So, it was quite surprising to see him lay out the challenge.
However, this fight can change the perspective of Jake Paul fighting only retired, non-professional boxers. So, as Nelson claimed, maybe it is “TIME TO FIGHT A REAL…ACTIVE… BOXER, JAKE!!!”
However, the duo knows that this fight won’t be anywhere near the level of Canelo Alvarez. As The Problem Child ranted out his feelings again, Nelson tried to convince him over and over.
Jake Paul blasts Turki Alalshikh for destroying his dream fight
After getting enough time to wrap his head around Canelo’s defection, Jake Paul took to ‘X’ to let his feelings known. The 28-year-old declared, “No matter how much money they spend,” Riyadh Season “won’t be able to make a bigger fight than me and Canelito.” According to ‘El Gallo,’ the fact that a non-boxer might have the biggest fight for 2025, “irked them to the core,” launching an attack on His Excellency Turki Alalshikh before dismissing the idea of him fighting Conor McGregor as a replacement because “he’s more washed than a laundromat.”
I fight the same weight class and I’m actually a real boxer, people would love to see us fight dude. Let’s make it happen!!!
— Steven “So Cold” Nelson (@SoColdNelson) February 8, 2025
The November 15 bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson became one of the most watched boxing events of all time. Since then, the former YouTuber has repeatedly claimed that a fight against Canelo Alvarez will be even bigger. That is why, a May clash between them, “could have made Canelo September fight so much bigger by letting us do our thing,” as it would allow Cinnamon’s name to reach “the masses,” making him an even bigger global brand, according to Jake Paul. However, according to Paul, Canelo’s camp knew that, “I was KO his little a**.” Forcing them to back out at the last second.
Steven Nelson replied to the rant and added, “I fight the same weight class,” as the Mexican champion. Furthermore, he is, “actually a real boxer, people would love to see us fight dude,” presenting himself as a legit replacement for Canelo. Even ‘So Cold’ knows that he is not as big as the unified super middleweight champion. However, he is a legitimate fighter and would love to fight the 28-year-old. So, “Let’s make it happen!!!,” exclaimed the Nebraskan.
Nelson is indeed nowhere near the level of Canelo Alvarez. However, he was an undefeated professional fighter till last month and is in the prime of his career. So, a fight against him would indeed do wonders for Jake Paul and his legitimacy in boxing. But only time will tell whether the new “face of the boxing” will accept this challenge or not. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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