Jake Paul is reportedly eyeing a mega-money fight with controversial kickboxer Andrew Tate.
Paul was set to face Hasim Rahman Jr at Madison Square Garden this weekend but the fight was cancelled after the YouTube star accused his rival of deliberately avoiding their 205lb weight limit. Paul will likely pursue another test from a whole host of call-outs including TikTok star Tate, 35, who has shot to fame in recent years.
Tate claims to have had 87 fights and nine losses as a kickboxer with his wins including the scalp of former UFC star Luke Barnatt. He has been in the headlines for displaying his plush lifestyle and making some controversial comments on his social media platforms. Tate previously called Paul to a fight two years ago when he offered $3million in cash to fight his fellow content creator.
A report from YouTube Drama Alert show host Keemstar suggest that Paul is 'targeting' a fight with Tate which could be worth a lucrative deal for the pair. Paul's brother Logan also confirmed that the pair will appear on his podcast Impaulsive in due course and will deliver a "special message" to Tate ahead of a potential meeting.
Paul's friend J'Leon Love, who has worked with the YouTube star during his short boxing career, believes a fight would deliver significant wealth for the pair with huge audience numbers anticipated. "No matter what, if Andrew and Jake fight they are going to do insane numbers," he said. "Guaranteed they will. What makes sense makes money."
Tate is the son of a chess master and claims to have huge fleet of super-cars including a Bugatti Chiron which costs an estimated £3.4million. He also teases many of his guests on their lack of wealth, and encourages them to sign up to his Hustlers University scheme to learn how to make money.
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Paul is yet to face a fighter with any background in boxing and has facing significant criticism despite missing out on fights with Tommy Fury and Rahman Jr. It is expected Tate would provide the most stern test of his ring credentials having a wide background in the sport from an early age.
Tate is supremely confident of winning any showdown, but has clarified that he doesn't like his potential next opponent. "I don't dislike him, I understand him but I want to make something clear, I would still kick the living f*** out of Jake Paul," he said during an appearance on The Fellas podcast.
"I'm not some washed-up UFC fighter and I'm not smaller than him, I would beat the living s*** out of him and if he wants to fight I'll fight him any day of the f****ng week. He's very smart with his 'I'm just a YouTuber angle'. You're a full grown man with the best coaches in the world who has dedicated years to learning how to box. The guy's not a jack*** and the fact he puts this spin on it is very smart."