TONY BELLEW warned Jake Paul “do not wake the f***ing animal up” as he teased a comeback fight after being taunted by the YouTube star.
Bellew has been critical of Paul in the past and the American was asked to respond during a media scrum in New York.
But he said: “Who is he? Not sure who he is.”
Hearn then added that Bellew featured in the 2015 Rocky-movie spinoff Creed.
But Paul replied: “That’s his claim to fame? He was in Creed, he was in the back, he was in the back, he was a janitor in the background of Creed.”
Bellew, who retired after being knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, took exception to Paul’s comments.
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He tweeted: “WTF is going on? I’ve social media on and all kinds going on to me about Jake Paul?
“Yes I’ve seen a video cos 20 people have wats app’d me it! Madness!
“My only response to it is.. my claim to fame isn’t creed son! It’s winning the @WBCBoxing belt! Oh and smashing your coach to (sic).”
Bellew, 39, then posted a picture of his 2016 KO against BJ Flores, who currently trains Paul.
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He posted: “Just in case you needed to know what I look like @jakepaul this is me! The other is how ya coach got to know me!
“Creed was Pretty Ricky Conlan! What this is Tony BELLEW! Do not wake the f***ing animal up that’s been dead for years..”
Paul, 25, most recently knocked out Tyron Woodley, 40, in December, having previously beaten the ex-UFC champion on points.
It added to KOs over gamer ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
Paul is still yet to face a recognised boxer, but Hearn offered up Bellew in a bid to change that.
He said: “Now that’s a massive fight, massive fight. And he’s retired, he’s old, he’s a former world champion.”
Paul quipped: “I think I have heard that name but I couldn’t put a face to it.”
Tony Bellew kncoked out BJ Flores in 2016
