Youtuber turned boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul has mixed reviews when it comes to his career in the squared circle. With a record of (5-0, 4 KOs) Paul has looked extremely impressive to casual boxing fans, but boxing purists are unimpressed, especially when they peel back the layers and see that Paul posted victories against a fellow Youtuber, a retired NBA player, and two UFC wrestlers. Despite the mixed reviews, Paul has the ability to generate revenue, and he’s an advocate in regards to elevating women’s boxing to the mainstream. As a fighter, Paul’s biggest criticism is directed toward the fact that he says he wants to win a world title, but after stepping in the ring five times, he still hasn’t fought an actual boxer. The Problem Child was attempting to change that narrative when he agreed to a fight with an undefeated boxer.
Tommy Fury (8-0, 4 KOs) is the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. A showdown between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury was originally scheduled for December 2021, but after suffering an injury during training camp, Fury was forced to withdraw from the fight. After participating in a public feud via social media, Paul and Fury agreed to finally meet in the squared circle on August 6, but Fury encountered travel issues, and once again, he had to withdraw from the fight. With Fury unable to enter the United States, Jake Paul needed someone to step in, and he found a boxer who is up to the challenge and this fighter has a distinctive boxing pedigree.
New Challenger
Hasim Rahman Jr. is the son of former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman Sr. In April 2001, Rahman Sr. shocked the world when he knocked out Lennox Lewis and won the unified world heavyweight championship.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Hasim Rahman Jr. had over 100 amateur fights prior to turning pro in 2017. He won his first twelve professional bouts, but in April 2022, he suffered his first defeat when he lost to James McKenzie Morrison, who is the son of former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison. Despite the loss, Rahman has an opportunity to get back on track in a big way.
Upcoming Fight
On August 6, in Madison Square Garden, Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr. will battle each other in the squared circle, but it won’t be the first time the two boxers will compete against each other. Paul and Rahman have a history in regard to sparring sessions. Paul leaked a video of the sparring, and it appeared as if things were a bit heated, but in a recent interview with Fighthype, Rahman admitted that wasn’t the case. Rahman stated he agreed to the sparring session to give Paul some professional work, but Paul was taunting Rahman due to the fact he was winning the majority of the rounds. Rahman spoke on the reason he appeared angry in the clip and why Paul was winning rounds against him. “What they said, I just stuck to it, and it’s like I don’t think Jake knows… I don’t think he knows what his team says to his sparring partners or what the real deal is in there, and then he gets so hype in his head, but one thing about me, I’m big on respect. You’re not going to disrespect me, and I not say nothing.” Rahman also touched on the fact that during the sparring session, he treated Paul like a novice boxer, and he basically boxed him by utilizing just one hand, but when they meet on August 6, Paul will receive a serious wake-up call.
Jake Paul has created a narrative in regards to there being bad blood between him and Rahman, but Rahman acknowledged there is no bad blood. The bad blood statement is probably fictitious, and it’s Paul’s way of selling the fight, but the wake-up call Rahman plans on giving Paul may be a fact. Jake Paul may feel a sense of security due to the tone of the sparring sessions he had with Rahman, but if Paul’s team had those sessions scripted, then Paul might receive an unpleasant surprise on August 6. Sparring is basically practice, but the actual fight is something totally different. Jake Paul wanted a matchup such as this to prove to the world that he is legit, but this bout he has with Hasim Rahman Jr. reminds me of the old adage, “be careful what you wish for.”
Watch the press conference here.
Read other sports news and interviews by Vince Smith.
