Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr. will step into the ring next month, but the verbal jabs between them have already begun.
Ahead of their August 6 bout at Madison Square Garden, Paul and Rahman met for a press conference on Tuesday, and the exchanges inevitably got personal between the former sparring partners. Rahman stepped in when Paul's original opponent, Tommy Fury, withdrew from the card. After years of barbs between Paul and Fury, the trash talk continued between the new opponents.
“This is such a huge opportunity for me. I never once second-guessed or even doubted the outcome of this fight,” Rahman said. “I’m here to end this façade that he’s calling a career so we’re going to see on August 6th Jake Paul fall. You’re definitely going to see that.”
At Tuesday's press conference, Rahman was flanked by his father, former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman Sr. Paul used the elder Rahman's presence to take a swipe at the 31-year-old's ability in the ring, telling the father that he won't be able to fight on his son's behalf.
“You’re not in the ring sir,” Paul said. “And that’s what your son doesn’t understand. He thinks he’s you and that’s his biggest mistake and on August 6 I’m ending the legacy that your whole family has.”
The duo are familiar with each other, with Rahman serving as Paul's sparring partner in the past. Paul claimed Tuesday to have footage of him beating the 31-year-old in a sparring session, something Rahman denies.
“They put the footage that they want to put out," he said. "Did you put out footage where you turn around and ran away from me in the ring? You turned your back and ran. You’re going to see on August 6th.”
Rahman added: “I will be using both hands on August 6. I only used one hand when I sparred him. He can’t even spar anyone with one hand. He’s not even on my level. I boxed this man with one hand behind my back and I promise you he turned his back and ran from me. I was trying to help you. He’s definitely barking up the wrong tree. I’m going to mess you up.”
Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) has faced an array of athletes and personalities in his fledgling boxing career, including fellow YouTube star AnEsonGib, former NBA player Nate Robinson and MMA fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Rahman (12-1, 6 KOs) questioned Paul's record and his choice of opposition, naming himself as the YouTuber's biggest test yet.
“I’m the one giving you credibility. None of your other opponents gave you any credibility,” Rahman said. “Who have you fought? You haven’t fought anybody. You fought champions in the NBA and MMA but no boxers.”
For his part, Paul acknowledged Rahman as his toughest opponent but is still betting on himself to come out on top.
“This is 100 percent a tougher fight (than facing Tommy Fury)," Paul said. "This is what I do. I take hard challenges and challenge myself more and more and increase the level of opposition and give the fans what they want. People say fight a real boxer – here we go. This guy is bigger than me, he has more experience. There’s no reason that I should win this but I’m proving to the world and proving to the kids out there that if you truly put your mind to something and you’re dedicated, then you will win.”
“He’s going to get beat up by a singer, a musician, a seashell collector, an amateur, a Disney boy, a YouTuber, I’m all of these things,” Paul said.