Jake Paul ‘finalises deal to fight a VERY famous boxing name’ after making ultimatum to Tommy Fury – and Sonny Bill Williams won’t be happy about it
- Paul’s fight with Tommy Fury to fall through when ultimatum runs out today
- Has now reportedly finalised deal to fight son of ex-champ Hasim Rahman
- Paul’s promoter Eddie Hearn wanted him to take on Sonny Bill Williams
Jake Paul is reportedly signing a deal to fight a man with one of the biggest names in boxing after his promoter Eddie Hearn tried to convince him to get into the ring with NRL and All Blacks star turned pug Sonny Bill Williams.
The YouTube star is finalising an agreement to fight heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, according to Sports Illustrated.
While Rahman Jr hasn’t fought many big names while building a 12-1 record, his father famously knocked out Lennox Lewis to take the world heavyweight championship in 2001 in one of the biggest upsets the sport had seen for years.
Paul – pictured fighting Tyron Woodley for the second time last December – has overlooked Sonny Bill Williams for his next bout, against the advice of his promoter Eddie Hearn
Instead, he’ll fight Hasim Rahman Jr (pictured together), whose father famously knocked out Lennox Lewis to become world heavyweight champion
The news will come as a blow to Williams, who vowed to hand Paul his first loss shortly after knocking out former AFL star Barry Hall in March.
‘I’m not gonna hate on this guy at all as I respect what he’s done. I also really respect his skill set as a boxer,’ Williams tweeted.
‘But if he wants some he can get it! Yours respectfully – your first loss.’
His comments came after Paul mentioned him on a podcast with highly respected boxing trainer Teddy Atlast.
‘There’s lots of names – Floyd Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Tommy Fury, Sonny Williams out of Australia. There’s a lot of people on the hit list,’ he said.
The news will be a big blow to Williams (pictured during his March knockout win over ex-AFL star Barry Hall) who had promised to hand Paul his first professional loss back in April
Paul’s promoter Eddie Hearn then tried to convince his charge to agree to a bout with Williams in April.
‘You know the fight for you? Sonny Bill Williams, in Australia, on a Sunday afternoon,’ he told Paul.
‘Prime time here in the US, huge global audience and it’s a good fight, he’s a bit bigger than you.’
While Paul has only had five wins as a professional, his immense following means whoever fights him is in for a huge payday and massive amounts of exposure.
The American – who goes by the ring nickname ‘The Problem Child’ – was scheduled to fight Tommy Fury, the half-brother of world heavyweight champ Tyson, on August 6.
Rahman senior produced one of boxing’s biggest upsets when he devastated Lewis with a massive right hand in South Africa in 2001
Hearn said the Williams fight was ideal for Paul due to the former All Black’s huge following in Australia and New Zealand – not to mention his fighting skills
However, Fury was barred from entering the USA by Homeland Security, throwing the fight into doubt and forcing Paul to give his would-be opponent with an ultimatum that expires on Wednesday: get the travel problem sorted or the bout is off.
When Fury’s setback first happened, a furious Paul tweeted: ‘Tommy, no matter how hard you try to get out of this fight, I’m going to do everything in my power to not let you weasel your way out.
‘My team and my partners have made it clear the steps you need to take to solve your latest excuse. Take them or admit you’re a scared little b****.’
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