Jake Paul has been called out for allegedly being 'friends' with his next boxing opponent.
Yesterday (6 July), the YouTuber announced that his long-awaited fight with Tommy Fury was called off after the British fighter failed to sort out his visa issues.
The pair were supposed to be getting in the ring at Madison Square Garden, New York, next month, but Fury was denied entry into the United States last week.
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However, despite pleas from Paul for Fury to sort the situation out so the fight could go ahead, he said he had lost patience and the bout was off.
Writing on Twitter, the 25-year-old said he had decided to find another opponent.
"Fury’s received a termination notice. MVP did everything it could 2 help him and team. He wasn’t interested & he literally went into hiding," he said.
"2nd time in a row he has pulled out. 2nd time in a row I’m going to step up and take on a new opponent on short notice. AUG 6. MSG."
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Just who this new opponent is remains to be confirmed, but some believe it will be Hasim Rahman Jr, a professional boxer with a record of 12-1.
The pair seem to know each other, having trained with one another in the past.
Criticising Paul for choosing to fight a 'friend', one person said: "So Jake Paul is friends with his opponent... "
Another chipped in: "They’re friends you clown. He’s on Jakes payroll and they spar together all the time."
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"I can’t wait to see these ppv # … his next match is his friend and sparring partner," put a third.
While another added: "Only issue with that is him and Jake Paul are friends and he’s trained with both brothers multiple times."
Not everyone seems to agree, though.
Sticking up for Paul, one fan said that sparring doesn't necessarily mean fighters are best buds.
They said: "They are not friends he was Jake's sparring partner for that fight just like other boxers bring in other experienced fighters to help them prepare. Rahman is apart of his fathers camp and gym(who was a former world champion) he isn’t on Jake's team."
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Following news that Fury's bout with Paul was off, the 23-year-old released a statement, saying he hoped to get his visa issue resolved.
Writing in an Instagram Story, the former Love Island contestant said: "I'm gutted and disappointed in regards to the issues I have faced with entry into the USA.
"This is something that myself or my team could have never anticipated happening.
"This situation has been left with my lawyers as being denied entry into a country is obviously a very serious issue and it needs to subsequently be resolved."
Dominic Smithers