Artur Beterbiev has now explained the real reason he called out Jake Paul.
In the immediate aftermath of Paul’s sad win over a 58-year-old Mike Tyson last month, the undisputed light heavyweight champion shocked fans by taking to Instagram to call for a fight with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
“@jakepaul what can you do in ring against the current undisputed champion?” he wrote.
“Just know that I’m always open to any suggestions.”
His decision was a puzzling one. After all, he is the No.4 ranked pugilist in the world while Paul is a relative novice.
However, Beterbiev insists he wanted to teach Paul a lesson after beating up his favourite boxer – although his stance has since changed.
“In boxing, for a long time I have had my favourite boxers and they are Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson,” he told Seconds Out.
“And Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson and it’s my first reaction that I want to pay him back.
“But after a couple of days, it is good, I don’t want to fight with him.
“If he wants to then yes but I don’t think he wants to fight me… I think I’d show him boxing.”
When Paul eventually responded to Beterbiev’s call out he skirted around the question.
“Just seen this… top 5 pound-for-pound fighter in the world calling me out,” the ex-Disney star tweeted.
“Hahahahaha. 4 years in and I run this sport.”
When Beterbiev followed up, Paul didn’t reply.
“After four years it’s time to have a serious challenge,” wrote Beterbiev.
“Didn’t notice your acceptance or rejection. So what are we gonna do?”
In reality, the fight is a distant pipe dream. Beterbiev is currently in negotiations to defend his undisputed crown against Dmitry Bivol in a rematch of their all-action affair in October.
Meanwhile, former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr claims he has been approached about fighting Paul next.
“It’s an option (Jake Paul), we’re looking into it, let’s see,” he told TUDN MEX.
“This week I have a meeting, maybe it’s a fight I can continue.
“I’d be interested in fighting a champion, but fighting Jake Paul for the fame and the media, would put me in a position to fight against others.
“I’m looking for it, it’s been presented. It’s not concrete, but let’s see what happens.”
