Mike Tyson hasn’t fought professionally since losing to Kevin McBride 19 years ago but will make his comeback against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in July aged 58
Boxing will be “seen as a circus” if Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul remains a professional bout, one of the UK’s top promoters has warned.
Ex-heavyweight champion Tyson, 57, is set to make his return to professional boxing in July after a 19-year hiatus to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in Texas. Paul is 30 years younger than Tyson, who will be 58 by the time the controversial fight takes place.
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There are huge concerns about Tyson’s health heading into the fight. The veteran has been seen using a wheelchair and walking cane in recent years, while his training videos have asked rather than answered questions about his fitness.
Tyson’s fight with Paul was initially expected to be an exhibition due to the former’s age. But last week, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) sanctioned it as professional. Speaking to Mirror Sport in New York before that decision was made, Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom was asked whether he would promote such a fight.
“As long as it’s clear that it’s not real boxing, I think definitely,” Shalom replied. “It’s a spectacle, it’s a form of entertainment.”
The promoter added: “There’s no way you can justify a 57-year-old fighting in a professional fight. For me, that’s where things need to be clear, and then the sport doesn’t suffer. I think it does suffer if boxing is seen as a circus. But as a form of entertainment, people can do what they want.”
Paul has faced criticism during his boxing career. The YouTuber turned professional in 2020 but has since fought mostly little-known boxers or MMA fighters. He boasts a 9-1 record, with his only loss coming against former Love Island star Tommy Fury.
Shalom believes anyone can transition into professional boxing if they’re good enough, but he’s struggling to justify Tyson’s comeback fight. “Viddal Riley is a big YouTuber and a fantastic professional boxer who we have (at Boxxer).
“Professional boxing is professional, so there’s a certain standard required. I think anyone can do that, and it doesn’t matter what their background is.
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“But a 57-year-old in a ring can’t be classed as professional boxing – as much as it’s a fantastic event. I think as long as it’s advertised as such… My biggest problem with the whole YouTuber boxing was it perhaps not being clear that this is a celebrity fight. Celebrities fighting is very, very different to professional athletes.”
The controversial fight between Tyson and Paul will be streamed live on Netflix, as the service tries to break into live sport. ” Mike Tyson wanted it to be a pro fight,” Paul wrote on X after the bout was sanctioned as professional. “Netflix wanted it to be a pro fight. So I agreed to make it a pro fight. Winner takes all.”
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Tyson added on X: “Yes, it’s a real sanctioned fight with Jake Paul.”
