A boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Jake Paul was close to being finalized but fell apart late in negotiations.
Instead of facing Paul, Alvarez will fight William Scull for the undisputed super middleweight title on May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Following the fight’s collapse, Paul took to social media to criticise Alvarez, prompting former UFC champion Michael Bisping to fire back.
“Jake Paul is at it again, making an absolute fool out of himself. Calling out Canelo Alvarez, making videos dancing around in a sombrero, paying no respect, and saying Canelo is ducking him,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel.
Bisping dismissed Paul’s claim that Alvarez was avoiding him.
“Apparently, they were all signed to fight, but then he (Alvarez) is terrified. He’s gone off to Saudi Arabia, selling his soul and all the rest of it,” Bisping said. “Shut the hell up, Jake Paul!”
Alvarez (62-2-2) is a four-division world champion and the only boxer to hold the undisputed super middleweight title. Bisping defended Alvarez’s legacy and slammed Paul (11-1) for manufacturing hype.
“Jake Paul has been a tremendous businessman. Okay? He’s not a fighter,” Bisping said. “Fighters look for real fights. They step into rings where they don’t know if they’re going to win.”
Paul has built a boxing career through self-promotion, but Bisping dismissed his credentials.
“Every time, he claims to be the baddest motherf***er. He’s not,” Bisping said. “He’s a YouTube star, a Disney star, a businessman. Fair play—he’s made a lot of money.”
Bisping also highlighted the weight and height difference between Paul and Alvarez.
“Canelo fights at 166 pounds, maybe walks around at 175. Jake Paul is about 220 pounds. That’s a 60-pound difference. That’s called a bully,” Bisping said.
Despite the size disparity, Bisping believes Alvarez would still win. But he’s glad Alvarez won’t risk tarnishing his career by fighting Paul.
