Jake Paul trades insults with Rahman Jr. and Sr. at press conference

Ahead of their Aug. 6 cruiserweight boxing bout, Jake Paul traded insults with Hasim Rahman Jr. and Sr. during their first press conference. 

Boxers Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr. met in person for the kickoff press conference ahead of their cruiserweight boxing bout on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Madison Square Garden. In true Paul fashion, insults flew early and often and helped hype their Showtime pay-per-view contest.

Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) threw the first harsh words in response to a statement by Rahman Jr.’s father, former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman Sr. Rahman Sr. called Paul disrespectful and stated that Paul was making a mistake fighting a boxer of his son’s caliber so soon.

Paul interjected with his assessment of Rahman Jr.’s skills.

“Moving too quick for your slow-a** son, who’s not going to be able to hit me,” Paul said of Rahman Jr. “Yeah, you’re right. I am moving too quick–fast as s**t.”

Paul went on to attack the whole Rahman family, saying he would end their boxing legacy.

“He thinks he’s you,” Paul said to Rahman Sr. “And that’s his biggest mistake. He’s not you. Aug. 6, people are going to see that. I’m ending that whole a** legacy that y’all whole a** family got. It’s over with Aug. 6.”

Rahman Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs) got in a few digs at Paul. He reminisced about the time they sparred together two years back, suggesting that he wasn’t allowed to fight as a southpaw and had to use one hand.

Watch Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. on Saturday, Aug. 6, on Showtime pay-per-view

“I boxed this man with one hand behind my back,” Rahman Jr. said. “I boxed this man with one hand, and I promise you he turned his back and ran from me.”

Rahman Jr. added that Paul’s camp said, “‘Look Rock, don’t do this. Don’t switch southpaw.'”

https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1546909051409293315?s=20&t=XStP7HSToKxcE-2U3ZdB0Q

On paper, Rahman Jr. is the toughest test of Paul’s two-year professional boxing career. Rahman Jr. has trained as a boxer for much of his life and had a substantial amateur background. Two of Paul’s other opponents had high-level MMA careers.

Tyron Woodley held the UFC welterweight title and fought Paul twice, losing both matchups. He fought Paul to a split decision loss in 2021 and was viciously knocked out in the rematch the same year.

Rahman Jr. usually fights as a heavyweight, and at 6-foot-3, and is the largest opponent Paul has ever faced. The fight is scheduled at 200 pounds, but Rahman Jr. stated he had to sign a rehydration clause.

“You try to bring me down to cruiserweight,” Rahman Jr. said. “Then put a rehydration clause in the contract. Don’t forget about that. ”

Rahman weighed 224 pounds for his last fight in April, which he lost via round 5 TKO. He later said he couldn’t rehydrate over 210 pounds.

A win against Rahman Jr. would give Paul added boxing credibility and help legitimize him as a serious boxer.