Jake Paul is a divisive figure in the sport of boxing.
With no amateur experience and a 5-0 record, Paul has quickly become one of the sport’s biggest names.
While some fans may turn their noses at what Paul has achieved, the internet star has exposed boxing to younger audience, one which the sport sometimes struggles to reach.
But it is not just his exploits inside the ring which have made him a powerful figure, there is also what Paul has done with his promotional arm, Most Valuable Promotions. Most recently he was involved in one of the biggest fights in boxing history when Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano headlined Madison Square Garden in April for the undisputed women’s lightweight title.
Now Paul is set to make his in-ring return at the same iconic New York venue on August 6 when he faces Hasim Rahman Jr. He was originally set to face Tommy Fury, but this fight had to be cancelled after visa issues stopped the British light heavyweight from travelling to the U.S.
While there may be animosity between the Paul and Fury camps, Tommy’s father, John Fury, praised Paul for what he has done for the sport boxing, but believes his personality can sometimes let him down.
“He's done a great job bringing a lot more viewers to the sport of boxing. He's started as a fledgling professional and I think he's doing quite well from where he's at to be honest with you. He needs a little bit more work on being a man, you know, but he's done great things from where he's at,” Fury said when speaking exclusively to DAZN courtesy of Freebets.com .
Fury continued: “All these young people are tuning in because of Jake Paul, he's got a lot of Instagram followers, we know that. I see his comments on the internet and I don't really like him. I think he's a sharp, clever guy but I think sometimes he thinks he's cleverer than he actually is. You've got to live to gain experience and he thinks he knows everything.
“He's made a few derogatory terms about me lately, calling me a criminal, an inmate and all this business. You don't hear me telling him that, do you?
“At the end of the day, you can sell fights in a different way that doesn't involve being derogatory and bringing up people's past. It's not on today, we're living in the 21st century and it's nice to be nice. It's a sport at the end of the day and Jake Paul has taken it personally.”