Jake Paul admits that his management, and older brother Logan Paul, advised him not to fight heavyweight prospect Hasim Rahman Jr.
On Thursday, Rahman Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs) was officially announced as the upcoming opponent for Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) – with their Showtime Pay-Per-View showdown scheduled for August 6th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Rahman Jr. – the son of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman – has replaced light heavyweight prospect Tommy Fury, who is currently having issues with entering the United States. Fury’s inability to solve his travel issues led to his removal from the fight.
Paul and Rahman Jr. were involved in a heated sparring session several years ago – where the two exchanged words and had to be separated.
“I’ve wanted this fight ever since Hasim ran his big mouth to me two years ago in the gym,” Paul said. “My brother and manager didn’t want me to take this fight. They said it was too much risk.
"The New York State Athletic Commission didn’t want to approve this fight because they said Hasim had too much experience for me. He has over 100 amateur fights. 10 times more than Tommy.
"But I’m built different,” he added. “I’m psychotic. Chaotic. Problematic. But ‘he’s a heavyweight’ they said. It don’t matter to me, I’m the fighting flea, they can’t hit me. I’m slippery like butter and with speed like no other. My power is unique and my style is sleek. I’ve made the toughest men weak. I’m not afraid of any man or what can happen.”
Paul was in action back in December, when he brutally knocked out former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in their rematch. Woodley was also a replacement opponent for Tommy Fury, who in that instance withdrew with a rib injury and chest infection.
Rahman suffered his first career defeat in April, when he was stopped in the fifth round by James Morrison, the unbeaten son of late former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison. Rahman had won the first four rounds on the official cards before he was caught in the fifth.