Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been branded a 'fake' by a former rival who stopped him in the first round of their world title fight, casting a shadow over his much-hyped professional boxing debut this weekend.
Former Foe Delivers Scathing Verdict
Ibrahim El Boustati, the man who inflicted the final loss of Tate's kickboxing career, has launched a blistering attack on the social media star's self-proclaimed 'alpha male' image. El Boustati, known as 'The Beast', secured a decisive victory over Tate in 2016, forcing a stoppage within three minutes after Tate complained of an eye injury.
Speaking to Mirror Fighting three years ago, El Boustati did not hold back. He accused Tate of constructing a false persona purely for fame and attention. "He is all about the shine, and he needs attention," El Boustati stated. "Like Big Brother, if you're a real 'Top G' you're not going to be crying with nerdy people on the Big Brother show."
The 2016 Showdown and Accusations of Lying
The Moroccan-Dutch fighter vividly recalled the lead-up and aftermath of their championship bout. He described a stark contrast between Tate's online bravado and his behaviour in person. "He is lying to a lot of people, he's not the person he says he is," El Boustati claimed. "I know him very well... he's a very kind person."
El Boustati emphasised that Tate never directed his trademark aggressive 'alpha male' rhetoric towards him, despite numerous interviews in the fight week. "He hasn't done one thing he says in his alpha male act towards me," he said, challenging the core of Tate's public identity. "Don't call yourself an alpha male if you're a scared person."
Tate's High-Stakes Boxing Debut in Dubai
These resurfaced criticisms emerge as the 39-year-old Tate prepares for his professional boxing debut under the Misfits Boxing banner on Saturday night in Dubai. His opponent is the reigning heavyweight champion, Chase DeMoor, who is set for his seventh fight of the year and is known for blitzing through recent opponents.
Tate's transition to the boxing ring follows a kickboxing career that was cut short by injuries. He retired five years ago after a second-round knockout win over Cosmin Lingurar in Romania. The influencer, who still faces serious criminal charges including rape in the UK, now steps into a new arena where his fighting credentials and character are under intense scrutiny.
El Boustati concluded by drawing a line between his victory and the Tate brothers' subsequent path. "The Boustati brothers won and the Tate brothers ran off to Romania," he said. "From there I didn't know what they did with their career but it wasn't fighting!" As fight night approaches, these old wounds and accusations add a deeply personal layer to Tate's latest public challenge.
