Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn labelled YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul ‘deluded’ after the controversial star claimed he could defeat Canelo Alvarez in the future.
Hearn and Paul worked alongside one another as promoters for Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano respectively as the two women headlined Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Taylor won via split decision.
Paul has ruffled many feathers since embarking on his highly-publicised in-ring career, calling out a number of combat stars including Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor and Canelo Alvarez. The multi-weight multiple world champion became the first boxer in history to become undisputed champion at super middleweight in November 2021.
Alvarez has developed a reputation as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer with a record of 57-1-2. However, it appears Paul believes he could defeat Alvarez, much to the disbelief of Hearn.
“This is a guy who, he would say to me off camera, 'In two years I'll beat Canelo’,” Hearn told MMA Hour. “And I'll sort of look around for a camera and realise there isn't one, and I think, 'Wow.' I think he's so deluded, so deluded.
“But that delusion and that confidence will actually help him in the ring. Because he does genuinely go in there thinking he’s a world class fighter.
“It’ll get him knocked out eventually, but I think people get a little bit baffled by his confidence.”
Hearn’s comments come after he suggested Paul was an ‘average; boxer. He said: “The problem is I won’t be disrespectful, but at the same time, I’m not gonna brown nose him because I’m just gonna be honest.
“So I’m saying that you’re an average professional fighter, that’s a massive compliment.”
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Hearn and Jake initially agreed a $1million wager on the fight between Taylor and Serrano, with each man backing their respective fighter. However, they had to immediately withdraw their bets due to issues surrounding promoters gambling on their own fights.
The duo spoke about a number of alternative options for a challenge - with Hearn suggesting Tony Bellew could be a sparring partner for the 24-year-old. He added: “We didn’t actually finalise anything, but the last thing [we discussed] was – if Katie Taylor lost I would have to go and spar with Jake, and we’d probably stream it for charity.
“And if we won then I would send someone to spar Jake. We’ll see. Tony Bellew would be a good one.”
Hearn is now set to be promoting Alvarez, who will take on Dmitry Bivol for his WBA light-heavyweight world title in Las Vegas this Saturday.
