According to reports, the producers of the contentious boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are pressing for it to be held as a professional competition.
Last week, Paul, 27, caused controversy by declaring that he will be taking Mike Tyson, 57, in a live Netflix fight on July 20.
‘Iron Mike’ getting back into the ring with a fighter 30 years his junior appeared to be a display, but many were quick to express displeasure over the idea—especially in light of recent film showing him needing a walking stick.
He will be facing a YouTuber who is establishing a professional boxing career in Paul. The fighter has won nine out of ten fights, including devastating knockouts of former UFC stars Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
Therefore, many prominent personalities in the sport are worried that Tyson, who is 58 in June, will face off against a fighter as inexperienced and forceful as Paul.
→ Swipe to see more articles
Mike Tyson could reportedly be set to face Jake Paul in a professional contest this summer
Tyson will be 58 by the time he steps into the ring to face Paul, who is 30 years his junior.
And according to combat-sports journalist Ariel Helwani, Paul and Tyson’s bout may not even be classed as an exhibition, with promoters understood to be pushing for a pro contest.
‘They’re still working on a few important details based on the conversations that I’ve had,’ Helwani said on his latest MMA Hour show. ‘Is it pro or is it exhibition? They want pro, obviously that’s up to the Texas Commission. We’ll wait and see.
‘Weight, I’m told heavyweight. Rounds working on that as well.’
Former British heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora recently claimed that Paul and Tyson will be wearing headguards and using 18oz gloves in a sparring-style fight, a rumor which was shut down by Helwani.
Instead, organizers are reportedly keen for the bout to resemble a standard pro encounter – something Tyson hasn’t taken part in since 2005.
The former world heavyweight champion quit in his final contest 19 years ago, with journeyman Kevin McBride forcing him to throw in the towel on both the fight and his career before the start of the seventh round.
‘Iron Mike’ has not competed professionally since his 2005 stoppage defeat to Kevin McBride
Since then, he has merely competed in exhibitions over the last two decades, the most recent coming against fellow fight legend Roy Jones Jr back in 2020.
Eddie Hearn believes it will be ‘really sad’ to see Tyson return to the ring against Paul.
‘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,’ Hearn told Mail Sport last week.
‘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.’
