Hasim Rahman Jr. has given his first reaction to the cancellation of his scheduled fight with Jake Paul.
On Saturday, Paul’s management team, Most Valuabale Promotions, released a statement claiming that Rahman would not be able to reach the contracted weight for the fight and that Rahman’s representations to do so “were not made in good faith became”.
Hours later, Rahman took to social media to react to the fight – and the entire event, which was scheduled for next Saturday at Madison Square Garden – was cancelled.
But why doesn’t he have that energy personally? Biggest payday of my life? I’ve already made four times what you offered with sparring, now you want to paint the narrative to not let me on anyone’s cards because you know people will challenge us. #JakeFraud pic.twitter.com/nDQItZEeeD
— HASIM RAHMAN JR (@_HasimRahmanJr) July 31, 2022
Why am I weighing Daniel 2 and 3 weeks before the fight? I didn’t even get a chance to hit the scales at 8/5 like the contract said. Like fighting me when YOU canceled the event. https://t.co/s3Xw92kX7g
— HASIM RAHMAN JR (@_HasimRahmanJr) July 31, 2022
“Why am I weighing two and three weeks before the fight? I didn’t even get a chance to step on the scales on August 5 like the contract said. Like fighting me when THEY canceled the event,” Rahman asked boxing reporter Dan Rafael on Twitter.
Paul’s advertising firm Most Valuable Promotions said in its statement that the fight was originally set at 200 pounds and that earlier this week the New York State Athletic Commission said the fight should be sanctioned at 205 pounds, having lost “less than a pound”. . since a first weigh-in earlier this month, at which Rahman weighed 216 pounds.
MVP also claims that Rahman’s camp indicated that he “planned to weigh 215 pounds of the fight – a statement echoed by Paul in a social media video — which was the last straw to pull the plug.
Jake doesn’t want him to just take the fight if I agree to 200 or 205. As we both said I was 215 YESTERDAY and I’m getting a 25% penalty per pound! Keep the money, I’m good at knocking him out. https://t.co/d0jQEL69Au
— HASIM RAHMAN JR (@_HasimRahmanJr) July 31, 2022
It’s time to expose this boy, trust me
— HASIM RAHMAN JR (@_HasimRahmanJr) July 31, 2022
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee are reacting to the cancellation, which you can catch up on below, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.