Jake Paul insists he is still more than capable of becoming world champion.

The 26-year-old’s reign of terror against fellow Youtubers, ageing basketball players and retired mixed martial artists ended in February when he was beaten by Tommy Fury over eight rounds in Saudi Arabia.

He returns to the ring on Saturday night in Dallas, Texas when he takes on 38-year-old former UFC star and boxing debutant Nate Diaz in a 10-rounder at the American Airlines Center.

But despite losing to Fury, and his decision to return against a non-boxer, Paul is adamant that his goals have not altered and his belief in his ability to get to the top of the sport is unwavering.

When asked whether the past six months have made him reset his expectations, Paul said: “My realistic ambition is becoming world champion. That hasn’t changed. I’ve only gained more conviction around it. 

“With how I’m progressing and the work I’m putting in and the experience I’m getting under my belt - going up to 10 rounds now. I’m slowly making my way deeper and deeper into the sport and getting more experience.

“I have all the tools; the punching power, strength, cardio, speed. Really it’s just about the thousands and thousands of repetitions that I need to become a world champion.

“But I’m sparring against them and working with them in the gym and that’s why I know I can do it. We’ll see what weight that will be at. It all really depends - I’ve only been doing it for three and a half years and at 26 years old. In three years from now, I’m 29 and in my athletic prime, I fully believe in my ability to win a world championship.”

Fury, meanwhile, has decided to face Youtuber KSI in an unlicensed fight instead of pursuing his own route in professional boxing.

But Paul believes his defeat to the Englishman has only served to reaffirm his commitment to the sport.

“It’s interesting that a loss can give you more conviction on what it is you’re supposed to be doing,” Paul added. “It can reset you on a proper path and that’s exactly what it did for me. 

“I’m feeling better than ever, stronger than ever and in the best shape of my life with the best team around me. I couldn’t be happier and that’s why I thank Tommy for winning - it put my life in the direction it was meant to be before and that is such a priceless thing.”

For now, Paul must focus on Diaz but the Cleveland man refused to suggest that a second successive defeat in the boxing ring would end his career.

He said: “I would like to think I would still have a flourishing boxing career even if I lost because after losing to Tommy, I landed myself a bigger name and a bigger fight. 

“In terms of ticket sales, the commercial pay-per-view, everything is pointing towards this being the biggest event ever. I didn’t think that would happen after losing to Tommy. But if people want to see me fight then I’ll still have big fights.

“It’s the fan base that drives people. Like Deontay Wilder lost a couple of times to Tyson Fury but everyone still wants to see him fight. It all just depends, it’s really how you go out - if you get knocked out then that’s not good but if you lose a split decision, a war and a good fight it’s a lot easier to come back from that.”