Lawrence Okolie accuses Mairis Briedis of 'selling his soul' with 'embarrassing' Jake Paul tattoo

Briedis appears to be chasing a fight against the 24-year-old American, another fellow cruiserweight, but despite his undefeated professional record, still far from a peer in terms of talent.

The 37-year-old Latvian is the current IBF cruiserweight champion and Okolie has previously called for a unification fight with him, and others in the division, and he regards the stunt as an embarrassment.

Okolie, 29, is scheduled to fight Michal Cieslak on February 27 before pursuing more titles.

“God willing we can win this one and then get unifications,” Okolie told talkSPORT.

“But I’m just here having to diet and all this other nonsense for a weight class where people are getting tattoos of other people’s names and chasing after middleweights and whatever else.

“I’m trying to give myself to the division, create unifications and legacy defining moments for everyone.

“I need that to be reciprocated. If it’s not, then I’m off.”

Of Briedis’ tattoo video, Okolie explained: “I thought it has to be fake.

“I’m gonna message him privately and find out if that’s a real or fake tattoo.

“Because if it’s a real tattoo it’s embarrassing, if it’s fake it’s embarrassing as well.

“We are professional world champions that have dedicated our lives to the sport – him even longer than me.

“To now be sort of selling your soul for likes and retweets and a bit of clout basically – you’re a well respected person in your country and a 37-year-old man, chasing after a 24-year-old YouTuber who’s a novice boxer, it’s baffling.”