Early Tuesday morning it looked like Jake Paul was in danger of losing yet another opponent – Hasim Rahman Jr.
But according to videos and photos from their afternoon press conference, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
This isn’t sparring anymore 🔥💥@jakepaul & @_HasimRahmanJr settle their score in the ring on August 6th from @TheGarden on @Showtime PPV.#PaulRahman #SerranoCarabajal pic.twitter.com/kUCyiO9rUd
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 12, 2022
Earlier today, it seemed that Paul’s Showtime PPV event against Rahman Jr was in jeopardy after he revealed that Rahman was trying to negotiate his contract.
“We signed a contract last week for 10 times more than he’s ever been paid for any of his fights and now, boom, fast forward one week and he’s trying to suck more money out of the fight,” Paul said on The MMA Hour.
“He’s trying to do anything he can to claw and make money, because I think he realises the consequences of what might happen.
“I think he’s scared to fight me. I think a lot of these guys are excited by the money at first but when it actually comes time to start fighting and getting into camp they all chicken out.
“Who knows if this fight is even going to happen at this point because we’re not going to pay him more money, he’s not worth it.”
But on Tuesday afternoon, both Paul and Rahman were present – even the elder Rahman was there. But he didn’t hype up his son as some may have expected.
“My son has really underperformed, and underprepared for pretty much all of his fights,” the elder Rahman said.
“But he will be ready for this one.”
Rahman Jr has recorded 12 wins with six coming by knockout. He is coming off a TKO loss to James McKenzie Morrison in April.
Paul, meanwhile, last knocked out Tyron Woodley in the sixth round of their last-minute rematch.
Rahman Jr will be the first professional boxer Paul faces.
“I’m here to end this façade,” Rahman Jr added. “That he’s calling a career.”
