The announcement has stirred up concerns about safety, particularly for 58-year-old Tyson. The age gap between the two fighters is substantial - Tyson is 30 years older than 27-year-old Paul. Tyson has been retired for nearly two decades, while Paul has kept active by fighting former MMA fighters.
Former world champion turned analyst Paulie Malignaggi shared his thoughts on the matchup. He said:
"I don't want to see the guy get hurt, that's all, man. I feel like Jake is more dangerous than everybody's giving him credit for."
The fight was originally scheduled earlier but got postponed due to a medical emergency. Tyson, who was 58 at the time, had an ulcer flare-up that forced the delay.
Malignaggi recalled the excitement surrounding Tyson's fights in the late eighties, before the Buster Douglas upset. He remembered waking up thrilled on Tyson fight mornings, highlighting the significant mystique and anticipation that surrounded the heavyweight's bouts.
During the postponement, Paul stayed active by knocking out bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry. This recent victory adds to the intrigue of the upcoming match against Tyson.
The event will feature a star-studded undercard. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will have their highly anticipated rematch as the chief support bout.
CNN reported on the rescheduling of the fight, confirming the new date and venue. The bout continues to generate buzz and debate within the boxing community and among fans worldwide.