Mairis Briedis tattooed Jake Paul’s name on him "for clout", Lawrence Okolie says as Britain targets unification fight

LAWRENCE OKOLIE believes it's a sad state of affairs that Mairis Braidis had Jake Paul's nickname tattooed on him to fight the social media star.

Breidis, the IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion, has been trying to get a fight with the YouTuber for over a year. He recently inked his name onto his left leg.

Okolie, WBO 200lb champ, was stunned by the bizarre tatt. Okolie believes that the Latvian is trying to get 'clout from The Problem Child.

SunSport was informed by the boohooMan ambassador: "I agree [that it's sad state of affairs].

"But, I have the feeling it's fake. It is the only thing that makes sense.

"If it's true, it is a shame that the world champion tattooed another person's name. That is an inexperienced boxer and former YouTuber all for clout."

Okolie, 29 years old, doesn't get why Breidis wants to fight a YouTuber.

He said, "It's tragic, especially when there is several larger paydays on the tables with other boxers.

"It's a strange one, a little bizarre. But everyone has their own goals in life and their own ways of looking at things."

Paul, 24 has not yet acknowledged Briedis’ attempts to get him to fight.

Okolie believes that his many attempts to persuade the ex-Disney star to give up were a total failure.

He said, "I think that he's probably considering after boxing as a career possibility." It's strange.

"Maybe he is trying to increase his social media. It's a mystery to me.

It did get everyone talking which was good. But what about the end result?

Hackney's hackney hitman Okolie is currently preparing for his second defense of the WBO strap, against Poland's Michael Cieslak.

This clash will be the highlight of a stack card at O2 Arena on February 27, 2012.

Lawrence Okolie spoke with SunSport before the launch of boohooMan’s 'Lightweight’ Activewear range. It is now available.

He stated that he was very happy with the new Activewear line. It was a lot of fun shooting the campaign photos.

"The guys at boohooMAN really raised the quality of their product recently. I believe this range, together with a lot more recent releases can easily match the major performance brands around the world.

"I hope everyone will be reppin' this collection once it launches in the gym or outdoors training or boxing!"