Jake Paul was told by the New York State Athletic Commission that Hasim Rahman Jr was "too experienced" for a boxing fight.
The YouTube star will make his sixth appearance as a professional when he takes on Rahman Jr on August 6 at Madison Square Garden. Rahman Jr has a record of 12 victories and one defeat during his time in the professional ranks, and also has a significant size advantage over his rival having never weighed in below 211lb.
Paul claimed that the New York State Athletic Commission were considering not sanctioning the bout due to the experience and size deficit between the pair. Now the 27-year-old's trainer BJ Flores has claimed they even advised Paul against pursuing the fight. “The New York State athletic commission advised against it," Flores told Boxing Scene.
"They said Rahman was too experienced. Rahman had over 100 amateur fights and has 13 professional fights plus he’s used to fighting bigger guys. He grew up around boxing and boxing himself in amateur tournaments. Rahman was beating a 20-0 undefeated heavyweight in Kenzie Morrison 4 rounds to 0 before the stoppage. It was 40-36 on all three scorecards. This is a dangerous fight."
Rahman Jr is the son of the former world champion of the same name, and has grown up training and pursuing a career in the sport. His first defeat in the professional ranks came last time out when he was stopped in the fifth round by James McKenzie Morrison in April. Despite the loss Rahman Jr believes he can score an upset due to his experience and size difference, and has claimed Paul is "scared" after inserting a rehydration clause.
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The fighters will be unable to weigh over 200lb at the weigh-in, with the pair then able to rehydrate to around 215lb on the morning of the fight. Thereafter, the fighters will be able to weigh whatever they want for the ring meeting, with Rahman Jr having last tipped the scales at 224lb.
Rahman Jr accused Paul of trying to "stack the deck" in his favour by the addition of the rules. However Paul has denied the claim and has revealed it was one of the conditions required for the fight to be sanctioned as a professional contest. "We are fighting at 200lb and he has to weigh in at that on Friday. On Saturday morning he can weigh up to 215lb and on the night of the fight he can weigh in as much as he wants," Paul confirmed to Morning Kombat.
"The New York State Athletic Commission put this in place because they were worried about him having a crazy size advantage. They almost didn't want to sanction the fight because they were concerned with his experience over mine."
