Mike Tyson Warned Jake Paul Could ‘Haunt Him For Life’ As Reason For Fight Explained !!
Legendary boxer Mike Tyson has been given a word of warning ahead of his highly anticipated fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, set to be screened live on Netflix later this year. The bout, scheduled for July 20, marks Tyson’s return to the ring for the first time since 2020. However, the match has sparked controversy, with many questioning its impact on Tyson’s legacy.
Former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson MBE has expressed concerns that Tyson’s participation in the fight could tarnish his reputation. Nelson, speaking to BetVictor, emphasized that the younger audience targeted by this event may not fully appreciate Tyson’s historical achievements in the boxing world. Instead, they might only see “an old man” fighting a much younger opponent.
Nelson elaborated on the potential negative consequences of the fight, stating, “It tarnishes Mike Tyson’s reputation. All people will see is an old man, an ex-heavyweight champion getting in the ring with Jake Paul. The younger generation will not appreciate the gravitas, the glory days, the success of Tyson. He dominated the heavyweight division. He was tremendous.”
The fight is notable for its 31-year age gap between Tyson and Paul. While Tyson’s last professional fight was nearly two decades ago, the upcoming clash will be recorded on both fighters’ official records. Nelson highlighted that if the fight had occurred even at the end of Tyson’s professional peak, there would be no doubt about the outcome. “Anybody that knows anything about boxing understands that Tyson, even at the back end of his career when he wasn’t the boxer he was, would blitz Jake Paul. But now, Tyson is the same age as Jake Paul’s dad,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s concerns also extend to the potential psychological impact on Tyson if he loses. “I don’t want to see it because I don’t want people to remember Mike for being turned over by some young kid. If he does lose, it will haunt him for the rest of his life. I hope Tyson knocks him out but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
The legitimacy of the fight has been questioned within the boxing community, particularly given Tyson’s request to shorten the rounds to two minutes instead of the standard three. Tyson explained his reasoning, stating, “I wanted shorter rounds for more action. If we have shorter rounds, we’ll fight more. More action.”
Jake Paul, who has bulked up to 230 pounds ahead of the fight, has faced mixed results in his boxing career, including a loss to Tommy Fury but victories over former UFC star Nate Diaz. Despite the skepticism, the financial incentive for Tyson is substantial, with reports suggesting he will earn around $50 million for the fight.
