Canelo Alvarez initially dismissed Jake Paul 's venture into boxing, but he now thinks the new audience Paul attracts might be good for the sport.
Paul - who rose to success through sharing sites Vine and YouTube - has become the most talked-about name in boxing since defeating Ben Askren earlier this year.
He is undefeated in four professional fights, recently outpointing former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in Cleveland last month.
'The Problem Child' published a "hit list" on social media before defeating Woodley, with names such as UFC star Conor McGregor and Alvarez featuring on the list.
Alvarez is preparing for his undisputed super middleweight title fight with Caleb Plant in November, but that didn't stop him from touching on Paul's recent success in the ring.
He told TMZ Sports : "It's hard to say [that I'm impressed by him]. Maybe it's good for boxing, another audience. We don't know, but it is what it is.
Pound-for-pound No.1 Alvarez initially dismissed the Paul brothers' transition to boxing, claiming the two are disrespecting the sport by seeking a quick payday.
He said last December: “I truly believe that it’s a lack of respect. It’s all based on money. It’s all about money. I’m focused right now on other projects.
"I have other stuff going on. I would invite them over for a sparring session so they truly know what it’s all about.
“I don’t agree that people who are basketball players or who are YouTubers get licenses. This is a very risky sport, so if they’re going out there, it’s risky.”
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Paul agreed to a rematch with Woodley after their win but is now pursuing other options for his next opponent.
The 24-year-old has recently accused Tommy Fury - the half brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury - of turning down a $1 million fight offer.
And Paul said before fighting Woodley that he wants to start fight professional boxers rather than MMA fighters and celebrities.
He told Undisputed: "The level of competition is going to increase. I plan on fighting pro boxers. I eventually want to take down Canelo Alvarez in the next three years and people think I'm crazy.
"But they also thought I was crazy when I was going to go to fight Nate Robinson. They were like 'he's a dunk champion, he's an elite athlete and he is going to take your head off.'
"I've been sparring with some of the best people in the world in the gym, going round after round after round. I'm prepared in the next three years to take down Canelo because I truly believe in my heart that it will happen."
