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Boxing

Who is Hasim Rahman Jr? Why is he fighting Jake Paul? Can he beat Jake Paul?

Who is Hasim Rahman Jr? Why is he fighting Jake Paul? Can he beat Jake Paul?GettyImages

Jake Paul has confirmed his next opponent. Hasim Rahman Jr. will be in the opposite corner on Aug. 6 from Madison Square Garden. Rahman is 12-1 with six knockouts as a professional. He will present "The Problem Child" with his toughest test to date.

Here, DAZN looks at the man who will be aiming to derail Paul's momentum next month.

Who is Hasim Rahman Jr?

The son of former WBC heavyweight champion, Hasim Rahman, the younger version was just ten years old when his father defeated Lennox Lewis to become the world's best heavyweight. 

Following his father into the sport of boxing, Rahman Jr made his professional bow in 2017 when he blasted Ralph Alexander in one round. He followed that up with two more first-round stoppages but was forced to go the distance in his fourth bout against Deon Hale.

Earlier this year, Rahman Jr suffered the only loss of his career when he was halted by James Morrison, the son of Tommy Morrison, in five rounds.

Why is he fighting Jake Paul?

Hasim Rahman Jr was not the original choice for Jake Paul. The YouTube star was set to face Britain's Tommy Fury, but visa issues endured by the younger brother of Tyson Fury now means that the long-awaited fight is off.

Paul intended for the show to go ahead and Rahman was the name that stood out. With his father holding a prominent profile in boxing thanks to his heavyweight history, Rahman fits the bill for someone with name value who can keep the show alive.

Can he beat Jake Paul?

On paper, this is by far the hardest test of Paul's career. Rahman was a frequent attendee at several leading gyms in America, and his upbringing has been a tough one, with his father intent on turning his son professional.

The elder Rahman is in the corner for his son, and his input so far has been vital as he's a respected voice in boxing circles. 

Rahman Jr's sole defeat was via stoppage against Morrison, but it was a fight he was winning well until he got caught.

He should start this fight as the favourite due to his experience and will be backed by many to win. If Paul can emerge victorious, then it could be the moment where people take his fighting career seriously.