Jake Paul cops backlash around boxing world over 'shameful' Mike Tyson move

The boxing world has turned on Jake Paul after the 27-year-old revealed news of his upcoming fight against 57-year-old former heavyweight world champion, Mike Tyson. Netflix announced on Friday (AEDT) that the pair will lock horns at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on July 20, at which point Tyson will be 58.

The streaming giant is set to provide live coverage of the bout to its vast number of subscribers, making it potentially one of the most watched bouts of all time. The specifics of the fight - namely whether it's actually a professional fight or an exhibition - still need to be signed off on by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation - which regulates boxing in the state.

Tyson is the biggest name that Paul will have fought to date, with the YouTube star winning nine of his 10 fights since becoming a professional boxer four years ago. Most of those victories - six of which have come via KO - have come against opponents with limited professional boxing experience, including several mixed martial artists and a fellow YouTuber.

The only loss of Paul's professional boxing career to date came last year against Tommy Fury - the less-accomplished half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. However, his latest eye-opening match-up against 'Iron Mike' Tyson has been slammed around the boxing world.

Boxing world slams fight Jake Paul over Mike Tyson fight

Tyson is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and reigned supreme in the division from 1987 to 1990 after winning his first belt at 20 to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Paul described 'Iron Mike' as the 'baddest man on the planet' but the glaring truth is Tyson has been long retired and is coming up against a man who is 30 years his junior and in prime physical shape.

“You’re fighting someone who was born in 1966,” tweeted Dillon Danis, who fought and lost to Paul's brother Logan. “Have some shame.” UFC great Michael Bisping also took aim at the social media star: “You should be ashamed of yourself. And the biggest joke is you don’t even slightly realise why.”

Many others across the boxing world have also slammed Paul for the 'shameful' decision to fight a man that was born in 1966 and will be 58 when they take the ring in July. The 30-year age disparity has been made even more apparent by images of Tyson using a walking stick as recently as 2022.

Jake Paul vows to put Mike Tyson 'to sleep'

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep,” Paul wrote on X.

Tyson retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout. His entertaining exhibition bout with Roy Jones in 2020 was unofficially ruled a draw. Tyson posts workout videos on social media in which he looks sharp in training, but going toe-to-toe against a much younger opponent carries enormous risk.

“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas,” said Tyson, who was in the crowd in Saudi Arabia last year when Paul lost to Fury. “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.

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"It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him off on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.” Paul had his second professional fight on the undercard of the Tyson-Jones fight, knocking out former NBA player Nate Robinson. He stopped journeyman professional boxer Ryan Bourland last week in his most recent fight.

with agencies

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