SOME of the most famous social media influencers today get much of their engagement doing the craziest things. But nothing is as ostentatious as challenging a professional athlete to a fight. 

Youtube influencer turned boxer Jake Paul has done that and more. 

Paul called out professional boxer turned reality TV star Tommy Fury for not showing up in their scheduled pre-fight stare down in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

They are scheduled for a much anticipated grudge boxing match at the Diriya Arena in Diriya, Saudi Arabia on February 26. 

According to Fury’s promoter George Warren, the younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury had to attend to a private personal matter, but was training really well and ready to fight.

British heavyweight champion Derek Chisora, who was at the venue to participate in the press conference, weighed in and asked Paul if he was frustrated about Fury’s absence. 

“I’m used to his behaviour at this point. He’s unprofessional and he’s a flake. He’s not a serious businessman or a serious fighter and I’m going to prove that,” Paul replied.

Fury had pulled out two times previously from his scheduled bout against Paul. The first time was due to an injury he sustained and the second was because he was denied a visa for the fight in New York city. 

But it appears Paul didn’t take these and used these against his rival.

“When you sign up to do something, you make a commitment, that’s what it should be about. It just shows me he’s scared because he said he didn’t need to train for this fight. Meanwhile, his first excuse was that he needed to train extra, but now it’s a private matter. I love Tyson but it’s typical from the dad [John] and Tommy.” Paul added.

Paul as a fighter

Jake Paul has been a professional boxer for two years and eight months.  

Coming into this fight, he has a 6-0 record with four knockouts. He has beaten some MMA fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva along the way. 

The fight with Fury might be a sterner test for the Youtube star as the British boxer has a 7-0 record and, unlike Paul’s previous opponents, is a legitimate professional boxer.

Fury recently spoke to TMZ and said that Paul is “in over his head,” and that he’s been training really hard for this fight and wants to “put this to bed.” He thinks that Jake Paul is not on his level and is not even a legitimate fighter.

“My message to Jake Paul is good luck and I hope you’ve trained hard, and I hope you’ve got an ambulance on speed dial because you’re going to need it,” Fury said.

This could be a very exciting fight, unless someone backs out again.