Mike Tyson has spoken about Jake Paul’s effect on boxing and how he would fare against the YouTuber-turned-boxer at 55 years of age.
Like most fans ‘Iron Mike’ is frustrated that the biggest fights are no longer getting made and spoke fondly about Paul’s injection of excitement into the sport.
Speaking to UFC star Israel Adesanya on his podcast, Tyson said:
“I love the fact he jumped into the game. People don’t understand that boxing needs that. At this stage in boxing the greatest fighters are not fighting each other, boxing needs a guy like this.
Listen when he fights he brings 75 million to the box office.”
Although complimentary about what Paul has brought to boxing, the former heavyweight champion pulled no punches about what would happen if they ever stepped in the ring together.
“His punches you can see coming a mile away, you can see that coming a mile away. I’m 55, I can see that coming a mile away.
I would beat these f**kers [Jake and Logan Paul]. I’d go straight at them, there would be no boxing. The only thing I got to do is be in shape. 30 days of boxing training everyday and I can fight anyone. If I’m boxing everyday I wouldn’t even have to worry about diet.”
The last time we saw Tyson step inside the ropes was in an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr back in 2020. Although most fans thought Tyson had done enough to get the victory the official result was a split decision draw.
Tyson vs Paul would certainly capture the public imagination, but ‘The Problem Child’ has more immediate business to deal with. Paul faces long time foe Tommy Fury on February 26 in Saudi Arabia.
After Fury pulled out of two previous deals to fight Paul, fans will be hoping it’s third time lucky in Diriyah next month.