Jake Paul has warned Mike Tyson ahead of their boxing clash on July 20.
The fight has been confirmed as a professional bout, raising some criticism. There are safety worries over the fight based on the age. Tyson will be 58, who has not had a pro fight since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005. Paul is the more active fighter, having stopped Andre August and Ryan Bourland since last December. However, since he stopped them via first round knockouts, he has not had much activity, last going the full distance against Nate Diaz in August 2023.
They will fight in two-minute rounds for eight rounds, using 14-ounce gloves. It will go on their record, with judges ringside to score the fight. Tyson has responded by banning sex and weed, committing himself to training three times a day to win. Paul has now revealed that it was Tyson who wanted it sanctioned as a pro fight. Since Tyson has nothing to prove having been the former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, the news has taken some by surprise. This is especially since money is not a pressing need.
Paul Reacts
“I just want to make it clear, Mike Tyson is the one who wanted it to be a pro fight. I said to Nakisa, if that is what Mike wants, then that’s fine. But, make sure if you tell Mike that there is no holding back. Whatever happens, happens and this is war now. If he puts me down, I can deal with that, but if I put him down, he needs to be the one making the decision on whether or not he can deal with that. Now that it’s a pro fight, it’s on my record and I’m going to put him down, and if people are pissed about it, then watch soccer,” Paul said
However, if either fighter suffers damage in the ring, it will raise questions over the Texas boxing commission which sanctioned it. Stephen. A. Smith was very outspoken in his disapproval at it being a pro fight. The bout makes no sense for Paul, who risks harming his brand. A win would be downplayed since Tyson is not the same fighter. He is almost 60, with a win doing nothing for Paul’s ambitions of becoming a world champion. A defeat would ridicule Paul amongst his peers, especially since he wants a fight with Canelo Alvarez. The result for Tyson does nothing for him since his boxing accomplishments speaks for itself. However, Smith was not happy.
Smith Reacts
“I’m sad, I’m saddened by it. I’m disgusted by it. I don’t like it one bit. I’m not taking anything away from the great Mike Tyson, who we all treasure because of the years of greatness he gave us, but he is 57. And in Jake Paul’s case, the only real fighter he’s fought has been Tommy Fury, who is not considered in the upper echelon in anybody’s mind.
“Jake Paul has been training with professional boxing trainers for years … when are you going to get in the ring with a modern day reputable fighter with a big name who isn’t 20-plus years removed from retirement? The only time we’ve seen [Mike Tyson] in the ring in that span is for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.
“I mean, c’mon man. Listen, Tyson can hurt anybody … and I’m not dismissing that, but he hasn’t been fighting, and Jake Paul hasn’t fought any real, ranked professional boxers. Why should this be a sanctioned boxing match?,” Smith said
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