John Fury has picked Jake Paul to beat Hasim Rahman Jr in his next fight, after the American stepped in for his son Tommy.
The Brit was supposed to prove Paul's first test against a "real boxer", holding an 8-0 record as well as having a few amateur fights, to Paul's 5-0 and one amateur bout. But he was unable to travel to America, and Rahman has stepped in, providing an even more extensive background including 13 professional fights and an extensive amateur run.
But despite all of Rahman's perceived advantages, the elder Fury believes that Paul will find a way to improve his record and get another victory. He has yet to taste defeat, and has knocked out every one of his opponents, but Rahman is bigger and considerably more experienced than anyone he has faced as yet.
“He looks tidy Rahman doesn't he?" Fury told DAZN. "I know he lost his last fight, he got knocked out by a heavyweight kid, but he actually looks technically a lot better than Jake Paul to be fair with you. I'll put my money on Jake. Even though I don't think he's as good as Rahman if you know what I mean.”
Paul claims that both his manager Nakisa Bidarian and brother Logan recommended that he not take the fight with Rahman, given the massive risk-reward ratio. Rahman was relatively unknown when the deal was made, and had a handful of social media followers, although that has ballooned to over 257,000 since announcing the fight.
Rahman is also known as a heavyweight, and will have to cut a major amount to make the 200lb cruiserweight limit. He is two inches taller than Paul and has never tipped the scales lower than 211lb, which is 20lb more than the YouTuber's career-highest.
Who do you think will win? Jake Paul or Hasim Rahman Jr? 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 fight. "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. 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.
"No boxer has taken this big of a risk this early in their career. They don't have my heart, they don’t have my soul, they don't have my drive, and they definitely don't have my team. Welcome to history. Take a picture."
