Canelo Alvarez’s ex-opponent Avni Yildirim tells Jake Paul to ‘stay being a fan’ after YouTuber called out Mexican star

JAKE PAUL has been told by Canelo Alvarez's ex-opponent to "stay being a fan" after calling out the Mexican superstar.

Paul is only 4-0 since his professional debut in January 2020 but has quickly emerged as one of the most polarising and disputed figures in the sport.

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And even in the infancy of his boxing career, the YouTube sensation has called to fight four-division champion Canelo in just three years time.

Paul also claimed to be better than Avni Yildirim and Billy Joe Saunders - Alvarez's last two opponents.

But Turk Yildirim, who was beaten by Canelo after three rounds in February, has hit back at Paul and blasted "stay out of the ring".

He told SunSport: "I don't listen to this nonsense. I am not saying that I can do better YouTube videos than these guys - although it might be true.

"So they shouldn't say they could fight better than me. I understand that it's part of their business to run their mouth.

"But boxing is not a game. We are fighting. And if you get in the wrong fight it could be very dangerous.

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"So my recommendation to these guys is to shut up and stay out of the ring. And most importantly: Stop talking about me."

Paul started with three knockouts, over online rival 'AnEsonGib', ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 37.

But in August he scored his biggest win yet against ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, over eight rounds.

And now he has signed to fight Tommy Fury, the brother of heavyweight champion Tyson, on December 18 in Florida.

It will be his first opponent with previous pro boxing experience, and another on his 13 man 'hit-list'.

Fury, 22, is joined by boxing's pound-for-pound No1 Canelo, 31, in that group.

And while Yildirim, 30, credits Paul for exposing boxing to a new audience, at the same time he slammed the American for his ambitious callout.

He said: "It's good that people talk about boxing and that a younger generation of fans gets interested in the sport.

"But there are limits. This guy is basically a fan. He should stay being a fan.

"Come watch the fights, sit first row, enjoy the show. But don't try doing what we are doing."