Worrying Mike Tyson move emerges after Jake Paul's $60 million windfall shuts up critics
Mike Tyson's return to the ring hasn't gone down well with those in the boxing world.
Mike Tyson is set to step back into the ring against YouTuber, turned boxer, Jake Paul at the age of 58 and promoters Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and Bob Arum's comments about the bout have come back to light. Tyson has created mega-hype around his return to boxing in an eight-round battle against Paul.
Tyson, arguably one of the biggest names in sporting history, will earn around $30 million for his appearance against Paul. The YouTuber will make up to $60 million for the clash, which is held on Netflix.
However, while many are enthralled by one of the greatest heavyweights ever to return to the ring, those in the industry have blasted the spectacle. Tyson stepped into the ring in an exhibition fight three years ago against Roy Jones Jnr. Unfortunately, both were well past their best and looked stiff in the ring.
And years later at 58 years old fans are concerned about Tyson's wellbeing. British promoter Hearn was candid when asked about the fight and said Tyson shouldn't be stepping into the ring at 58 years old against a younger opponent who is training full-time.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” Hearn said this week ahead of the fight. “If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
And he wasn't the only critic of the bout. Rival promoter Warren agreed with Hearn. “Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said months ago after the fight was officially announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Jake Paul set to make $60 million with Mike Tyson bout
While many in the boxing community are criticising the show for being nothing more than a gimmick, both Tyson and Paul are set to take home huge purses. Only hours before the fight, TalkSport reporter Michael Benson claimed the duo had made close to $28 million from ticket sales for the historic clash.
This is a monumental gate, considering Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders took in $14 million for their bout in Texas a few years ago. Paul was reported to be taking home close to $60 million win, lose or draw. While even though Tyson is the bigger name, the former heavyweight champ is set to take home $30 million.
‼️ Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson has generated a gate (money from ticket sales) of over $17.8million from an expected 70,000+ crowd, Paul’s MVP have announced. This is almost double the $9million Texas gate record previously set by Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 15, 2024
Mike Tyson slaps Jake Paul at weigh-in
The lead-up to the fight has been carried by the YouTuber until the duo came face-to-face at the weigh-in. As Paul approached the 58-year-old for a stare-down on Thursday (Friday AEDT), Paul stepped on the toe of the one-time 'Baddest Man on the Planet', who reacted by squaring up and landing a vicious slap on the face.
After whacking Paul in the face Tyson simply said: "Talking's over" before walking off stage. But Paul - who turned to boxing four years ago - taunted his 58-year-old opponent on stage. Tyson's career record stands at 50-6 with 44 knockouts.
"I didn't even feel it," said Paul, who weighed in at 227.2 pounds. "Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you're getting knocked the f**k out...it's personal now! He must die!"
