‘Respect’ – Jake Paul responds to positive comments from Canelo Alvarez as he hits out at Eddie Hearn for calling him ‘deluded’

Canelo Alvarez surprisingly praised Jake Paul and insisted that he does not believe the YouTuber-turned-boxer is bad for his sport.

Mexico's pound-for-pound king is set to challenge Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light-heavyweight world title on Saturday night in Las Vegas, and has been speaking to media ahead of the event.

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When one reporter posed a question about Jake, Canelo's initial response was: "The thing I'm thinking about is - why are you guys asking me especially that fight?

"Jake Paul, please guys.

"Maybe in two years like he says, maybe in two years we can talk."

As another media member suggested fans want to see him KO the YouTuber, Canelo laughed: "Maybe, yeah, yeah, you're right.

"In two years, we'll see.

"I hope he improves more and he does a really good job.

"In two years I hope he's doing a really good job and improving [his] boxing."

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Asked if he thinks Jake is good for boxing, Canelo replied: "Everything is good for boxing.

"He brings more fans to boxing. Everything is good, everything is fine."

Pushed as to whether Jake is crazy for seeking a fight with him, Canelo insisted: "No, he's not crazy.

"That is not crazy, it's fine dreaming of something.

"You need to put goals in your mind. It's okay."

In the final question of the exchange a reporter asked if Jake is delusional, to which Canelo replied: "Like I say, it's good dreaming."

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Eddie Hearn co-promoted Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano alongside Jake in New York last week, but described the American as 'deluded' for wanting to fight Canelo.

Reacting to Canelo and Hearn's comments, Jake took to social media.

He tweeted: "Much to respect to @Canelo.

"Because he’s done the impossible and created his own lane and legacy he can recognise the optimism required to do something that has never been done before.

"While this interviewer and @EddieHearn call it delusion, the greats call it self belief.

"Not everyone inherits their daddy’s company like Eddie Hearn.

"Some of us have to believe in ourselves when we had absolutely nothing and foresee no possible way of overcoming our circumstances other than self belief."