Jake Paul managed to get in a subtle dig at promoter Eddie Hearn whilst replying to Canelo Alvarez 's recent comments about him.
Before his light heavyweight title fight against Dmitry Bivol this Saturday, Alvarez was asked about a potential fight with Paul. The pound-for-pound No.1 admitted that once the YouTube star can win a few more fights, he would be open to talks with him.
"The thing I'm thinking is why do you guys ask me about that fight? Maybe in two years we can talk, in two years we'll see. "I hope he does a really good job and improves in. boxing, I say this seriously.
"He brings more fans to boxing and he's not crazy, it's fine to dream for something. You need to put goals in your mind and dream, it's ok. It's good to dream."
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Paul has thanked Alvarez for his kind words by replying to the world champion on Instagram. The 25-year-old criticised Hearn for labelling him " deluded " over claims that he could beat Alvarez in the future and mocked him for inheriting his father Barry's company Matchroom Sport.
"Much respect to Canelo because he's done the impossible and created his own lane and legacy. He can recognise the optimism required to do something that has never been done before," Paul wrote.
"Whilst this interviewer and Eddie Hearn call it delusion, the greats call it self belief. Not everyone inherits their daddy's company like Eddie Hearn. Some of us had to believe in ourselves when we had absolutely nothing and foresee no possible way of overcoming our circumstances other than self belief."
Alvarez was previously critical of Paul's move into boxing and felt it made a mockery of the sport. His change of heart comes after Paul - who is unbeaten in five professional fights - has continued to dedicate himself to the sweet science.
'The Problem Child' announced he will return to the ring on August 13 having not fought since knocking out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley last December. Paul wants to fight Alvarez in his last professional out of his career and thinks he holds several advantages over the undisputed super middleweight champion.
"I’m bigger than Canelo, I’m faster than Canelo," he said on ESPN's First Take. "I’m more athletic than Canelo. Can I box better? Probably not, but after three years, that’s going to be a big fight. Two of the biggest names in boxing going after each other."
