After suffering a first career defeat, Jake Paul has received a fair share of criticism for his boxing abilities, or lack of.
However, Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew have shown their respect to the American for what he has achieved in the sport, in such a short space of time.
Paul lost a split-decision to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, despite knocking the 23-year-old down in the final round of their fight.
This put an end to the ‘Problem Child’s’ six-fight win streak since turning professional in 2020 and has left him in a precarious position, where he must decide if he truly is a professional boxer or if he should make the switch to influencer boxing.
On his Twitter, former WBC cruiserweight champion, Bellew, praised Paul for turning a hobby into a multi-million dollar career.
“Why would anyone be mad at him? Boxing isn’t his life! He hasn’t been doing this since he was a child and his dreams haven’t ever been to be a world champion!
He uses it as a hobby to help him! Fair play! Imagine having a hobby that paid 30M’s golf is mine and costs me…”
Hearn echoed Paul’s ‘amazing’ achievements, but did give the brash American some advice going forward.
“What he has done, in his position, is amazing. Amazing, and that is all I can say.
But, in professional boxing, he is not very good. That is just fact. He should fight KSI, make an absolute fortune and that is his lot.”
It seems Paul is set to ignore Hearn’s wishes and activate his rematch clause and face the Brit for a second time later this year.