BOXER Hasim Rahman Jr has backed KSI to beat Jake Paul as their bitter grudge match edges closer.
The pair of arch enemies are in talks to finally settle their score in the ring, with talks of a December blockbuster in the UK.
Rahman sparred Paul before the American’s second professional fight, which turned out to be a brutal KO of ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
But two years later, they actually signed to fight each only for the bout to be cancelled with a week to go amid a row over the weight.
Rahman would go on to sign for KSI’s Misfits Boxing banner, while striking up a training partnership and friendship with the British celebrity.
And having witnessed first-hand KSI’s famed work ethic, the American believes Paul will be no match.
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Rahman told SunSport: “I think that JJ outworks Jake and drowns him.
“I think that the deep waters that JJ would take Jake to, he just hasn’t been to before.
“Jake’s workrate, even in his last fight, is nowhere near what it needs to be for JJ.
“JJ is an incredible machine, that boy doesn’t stop and he’s only getting better.
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“I sparred Jake before he fought AnEsonGib and I’ve been watching his career up till the Anderson Silva fight.
“I’ve been watching JJ since he fought Logan the first time and he took some time off and came back but the rate of improvement from JJ is much better than Jake’s.
“That’s just my honest opinion.”
Paul has now given Tommy Fury, 23, THREE chances to fight him, following two prior pullouts, amid injury and US visa issues.
The second of which was when Rahman signed as a replacement for a 200lb cruiserweight fight.
But the New York State Athletic Commission later changed it to 205lb, although still the two teams clashed, resulting in a fight collapse.
Rahman still held a weigh in the day before the planned bout and came in slightly over the catchweight at 206.6lb.
Like I told people from the beginning, Jake Paul doesn’t really want to fight me. He never wanted to fight me.
But would refuse to reschedule – unlike with Fury – and chose to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, instead winning in October.
Rahman said: “Like I told people from the beginning, Jake Paul doesn’t really want to fight me. He never wanted to fight me.
“The world saw him weight 206.6lb – and that was in three weeks – imagine if he gave me the time to prepare like he’s given to Tommy or Anderson Silva.
“He definitely had the opportunity to do that, even after our fight fell out.
“Now he can’t go back and say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to give you another chance because the fight fell out the first time and we wasted money.’
“When they’ve been through this twice this Tommy and then turn around and give Tommy another fight.
“I don’t think Tommy’s going to win, I think Jake will win but it still shows he already pretty much admitted a fight with me meant more and was tougher than with Tommy.
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“He’s still going to have to answer that question after this fight. But he’s going down in weight and I’m not going nowhere lower than 200.
“That’s the absolute lowest I would go. But we’ll see about Jake, but Logan can get it, even though I don’t think Logan will be interested in fighting me.”
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