The boxing world was taken by surprise when Jake Paul (5-0) selected Hasim Rahman Jr. (12-1) as a replacement for Tommy Fury, who isn’t allowed by the United States government to enter the country. 

Rahman, who is the son of the former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, has a deep amateur background with over 100 fights.   

They will collide on August 6th at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event will be distributed by Showtime pay-per-view. 

Paul, a very popular YouTube star/influencer, has many detractors in the sport who view him as a sideshow and a novelty. 

When asked if he thinks an opponent with the pedigree of Rahman will shut up the naysayers, Paul’s trainer BJ Flores said he could care less. 

“I don’t care at all. The only people that don't respect this fight are the keyboard warriors. Anybody who knows boxing knows this is a dangerous fight for a 5-0 fighter,” said Flores. 

The former title challenger is credited for helping Paul advance so quickly in the sport.  

Most fighters face opposition with .500 or losing records in their first fights as professionals. Paul, who didn’t have an amateur career is facing significantly tougher rivals in the beginning of his career. 

“We are doing our thing and Jake is fighting better opposition than any 5-0 fighter out there. Rahman is 6”3 and 220 lbs and grew up in boxing with over 100 amateur fights. We continue to advance in the sport,” Flores told BoxingScene.com.  

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