Daniel Dubois has confirmed that he called out Jake Paul shortly after Paul's victory over Mike Tyson last week, and on Thursday he explained his reasoning behind it.
Paul faced 58-year-old Tyson in a fight that saw the former undisputed heavyweight world champion step back into a ring as a professional for the first time in nearly two decades, with "Iron Mike" looking sluggish throughout the bout and unable to seriously threaten his much younger opponent.
The 27-year-old Paul claimed a unanimous decision victory after going eight rounds with Tyson, and earlier this week he shared a private Instagram message sent to him by Dubois in which the IBF heavyweight champion proposed a fight.
"Hi Jake, good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world? This is Daniel Dubois calling you out, let's get it on," the message read.
Speaking Thursday on the Bricks to Riches podcast, Dubois confirmed the validity of the message and further explained his offer to the social media star-turned-boxer.
“If Jake wants it with me, he can get it." Dubois said. "We messaged him, my dad and everyone decided, 'Yeah, let's call him out.'
"Even though it's just publicity, you never know what can happen in this sport. It's strange times.”
Dubois wasn't the first current boxing champion to call Paul out following the Tyson fight, with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev stating he is "open to suggestions" about a potential bout.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.
You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. Click here for more information and to buy now.
Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.
The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.