Jake Paul believes that replacing Tommy Fury with Hasim Rahman Jr is an example of what makes him "crazy".
The YouTuber-turned-boxer has been criticised for not facing any legitimate boxers, and forced through two deals to face Fury in December and August in order to change that perception. But the Brit has pulled out of both of their scheduled fights just weeks out, first with a rib injury and then a visa issue that stopped him from entering America.
He replaced Fury with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley back in December, but fans were unimpressed with the match-up, given Paul had already won their first meeting in August. He has now enlisted Rahman Jr, whose dad is former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, to be his next opponent; boasting a 12-1 record.
"I'm literally crazy," Paul told ESPN. "There's no reason why I should be taking this fight. I want to prove to the boxing world that I'm a real dog, which I am. And I'm going to go in there against this 12-1 kid who is bigger than Tommy Fury, faster than Tommy Fury, all of these things. And I'm going to put on the performance of a lifetime and just shut everyone up."
Rahman Jr was most recently stopped by McKenzie Morrisson in April, with the two sons of legends tipping the scales at around 224lb. Paul's career-highest weight was 33lb lighter for his debut against YouTuber AnEsonGib, and Rahman will need to make a major cut to beat the scales.
The heavyweight has been in the ring with Paul twice before, during sparring sessions in his early career. Paul shared footage of the pair having a heated altercation after one session, But Rahman Jr insists that he was taking it easy on the YouTuber, who was a beginner with just one amateur and professional fight by the time they last met.
Do you believe that Hasim Rahman Jr will hand Jake Paul his first loss as a professional next month? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
"I’ve wanted this fight ever since Hasim ran his big mouth to me two years ago in the gym," Paul said in a lengthy Instagram post announcing the rescheduled fight, which will be launched officially in New York on Tuesday. "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. 10x 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."
