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Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. cancelled, why was it cancelled, weight issues, statement, latest, updates

Just one week out from the fight, Jake Paul’s scheduled bout against Hasim Rahman Jr. has been canceled due to Rahman Jr. having serious issues with his weight cut.

The New York State Athletic Commission forced Rahman Jr., who normally fights at heavyweight, to submit regular weight checks to ensure he was cutting weight safely after the 31-year-old was given just one month to prepare.

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But according to Rahman Jr.’s promoter Greg Cohen, he was struggling badly with the weight cut and was sitting at 214 pounds just one week out from the bout.

It forced a complete cancellation of the event and prompted a strongly-worded statement from Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

“On Friday, Rahman submitted a weight check to the NYSAC that demonstrated he had lost less than 1 pound since originally signing to take the fight 24 days prior,” the statement read.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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“This prompted the commission to declare that it would not sanction the fight at less than 205 lbs. Still, Jake Paul was prepared to move forward with the fight at this new weight and a new contract was sent to Rahman’s promoter reflecting a 205 lbs. limit, impose strict penalties should he fail to make weight.

“Upon receiving this new contract Saturday morning, Rahman’s camp indicated for the very first time that he planned to weigh 215 lbs. at the official weigh-in and would not agree to weigh-in at 205 pounds and informing Most Valuable Promotions that they are pulling out of the fight unless the fight was agreed to at 215 pounds.

“MVP and Jake Paul will not reward someone that has conducted themselves in such a deceiving and calculated manner. Therefore, MVP is left with no choice but to cancel the August 6th event.

“This forced outcome impacts Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano and every other fighter on this card who have trained endlessly over the past few months for this event. The boxing community must hold Hasim Rahman Jr. liable for his lack of professionalism.”

Rahman Jr. stepped in on one month’s notice as Paul’s fight against Tommy Fury collapsed for the second time.

Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, first withdrew due to broken ribs and a chest infection in December last year and then pulled out in July because of visa issues trying to get into the US.

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‘Hold Hasim Rahman Jr. liable’: Jake Paul blasts rival as grudge match canceled

Jake Paul’s has savaged Hasim Rahman Jr. after the fight was called off at the last minute.

The YouTube star was due to fight at Madison Square Garden next weekend but a statement released on Saturday night slammed Rahman for apparently moving the goalposts, The Sun reported.

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A statement from Most Valuable Promotions said Rahman’s team tried to change the fight weight from 200lbs to 215lbs.

And it read: “The boxing community must hold Hasim Rahman Jr liable for his lack of professionalism.”

Rahman and his team are said to have offered assurances that he was on track to make 200lbs at the weigh-in on Friday.

Paul claimed Rahman’s team went “as far as to provide a letter signed by a recognized nutritionist that his weight cut was progressing without issue”.

But in the last 48 hours, Rahman had lost less than one pound and the New York State Athletic Commission said it wouldn’t sanction the fight for less than 205 pounds.

Paul’s team claim they were prepared to raise the weight to 200 pounds, but say Rahman indicated he would come in at 215 pounds.

“Upon receiving this new contract Saturday morning, Rahman’s camp indicated for the very first time that he planned to weigh 215lbs. at the official weigh-in and would not agree to

weigh-in at 205 pounds and reporting Most Valuable Promotions that they are pulling out of the fight unless the fight was agreed to at 215 pounds,” the statement read.

“MVP and Jake Paul will not reward someone that has conducted themselves in such a deceiving and calculated manner.

“Therefore, MVP is left with no choice but to cancel the August 6th event. This forced outcome impacts Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano and every other fighter on this card who have trained tirelessly over the past few months for this event.

“The boxing community must hold Hasim Rahman Jr. liable for his lack of professionalism.”

And drastic action was taken with the fight axed and refunds offered to ticket holders and PPV buyers.

Paul was due to fight British reality star and boxer Tommy Fury.

But Fury ran into visa issues and couldn’t fight the YouTuber at Madison Square Garden.

Paul had been sparring with former world champ Chad Dawson in build up to the fight.

He was set for one of the toughest fights of his young boxing career.

This was due to be the sixth professional fight for the younger Paul brother and he is undefeated so far.

This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

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