JAKE PAUL is in behind-the-scenes talks with boxing chiefs in a bid to map out a shock world title shot.
The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter is 10-1 in the ring with his only loss coming against Tommy Fury via split-decision in 2023.
Paul wants to rematch Fury but first returns on November 15 in Texas against Mike Tyson in a controversial clash scrutinised for the age gap.
But the outspoken American still harbours lofty ambitions of one day challenging for the cruiserweight world championship.
He was even backed by WBA president Gilberto Mendoza to fight former super-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for some form of title.
And Paul is speaking with the governing bodies in the background to put himself in a position to fight for boxing gold.
He said at a Professional Fighters League event: “There’s definitely conversations going on behind the scenes.
“I think Gilbert from the WBA wanted me and Julio Chavez to fight for a belt, like a regional.
“I don’t know what the belt would be exactly but definitely starting to have those conversations.
“And after some of these big fights, maybe the Tommy rematch or maybe Tyson all these things, then I’m gonna be focusing on the path to world champion.”
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The WBC were willing to rank Paul, 27, if he had beaten Fury, 25, in their celebrity grudge match.
And he has also worked with the WBO for his charitable boxing organisation to further improve his relationships outside the ring.
Paul still has his eyes on a rematch with Fury after facing 58-year-old Tyson before turning his attention on the title belts.
He said: “It’s just a timing thing. I think it could happen end of next year or early 2026.
“But when the timing’s right, we’re gonna just go for it and see what happens.
“I think it also depends on like the Tommy Fury fight and any other big name fights that come up.
“There’s discussions with some other big names behind the scenes. So it really just depends on how those conversations go.
“That’s why I think end of next year or early 2026 we’ll start to like target a sanctioning body and then just go up the rankings.”
