Jake Paul’s manager has fired back at Eddie Hearn’s criticism of the 27-year-old’s upcoming fight with Mike Tyson.
Jake Paul’s manager has fired back at Eddie Hearn’s criticism of the 27-year-old’s upcoming fight with Mike Tyson.
On Thursday it was announced that YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul would be fighting former Heavyweight champion Tyson in Texas on July 20, in an event that will be broadcast on Netflix.
It is unclear if it will be an official fight or an exhibition bout, with Tyson, 30 years Paul’s senior, having last competed in a professional contest back in 2005.
Paul, who beat Ryan Bourland in his 10th professional fight on Saturday, will be coming up against a man who became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 when he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986.
That was Tyson’s 28th professional fight since making his debut in 1985 aged 18. He had won 26 of them by knockout.
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Announcing the fight, Paul said on X: “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.”
However, the upcoming bout has drawn criticism from Matchroom boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who labelled the affair as “really sad.”
Hearn told Mail Sport: “For me, it’s really sad because Mike Tyson was one of my idols growing up, and to see him fighting at 57, 58… but I also understand that a lot of people are going to tune in and watch.
Eddie Hearn has criticised Jake Paul’s upcoming bout with Mike Tyson (Getty)
“It’s an entertainment event, Netflix, great to see them involved in boxing. I think it will do really well. But it’s just not really one for me.”
Naturally, Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian has since responded to Hearn’s criticism, by labelling the Briton as a “hypocrite”.
Bidarian said via TalkSPORT: “It’s incredibly ironic and, as usual, hypocritical of Eddie Hearn to talk negatively about another event.
“Eddie was standing between Manny Pacquiao, a very small-statured 45-year-old man, and his next opponent, a 27-year-old Matchroom fighter who has had issues getting licensed in the UK to box again. It’s incredibly sad.
“He spends more time speaking about other people’s business than he does tending his own.”
