Anthony Crolla, the former World Lightweight Champion, has shared his thoughts on the upcoming events in boxing, which he calls the "silly season." This period includes both exhibition matches and professional fights that have got ...
Crolla weighed in on the much-discussed bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. The fight, set to be an actual contest rather than an exhibition, has raised some eyebrows. Crolla expressed concern about the 58-year-old Tyson facing a younger, stronger opponent in Paul.
"I'm worried about a 58-year-old man fighting a young, strong guy like Jake Paul. I think Paul will probably win on points, but it's not a fight I'm comfortable with."
Crolla noted that Tyson's behavior at the press conference, while seemingly aggressive, was preferable to his past, more volatile appearances.
The former champ also commented on Floyd Mayweather's upcoming exhibition bout with John Gotti III, grandson of the infamous mob boss. He sees it as an easy payday for Mayweather but questions if there's still an audience for these spectacles.
"If you're a real boxing fan, you'd be better off watching Mayweather's old fights. Those show his true skill and talent."
On a more positive note, Crolla expressed excitement for the rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, set for November on the same card as Tyson vs Paul. He called it a "proper fight" and recalled the electric atmosphere of their first encounter.
"I was lucky enough to be ringside for their first fight. It had the best atmosphere I've ever experienced. I think Katie will just scrape through again, but it'll be close."
Crolla also discussed the upcoming bout between Naoya Inoue and TJ Doheny. He praised Inoue, nicknamed "Monster," for his vicious and ruthless style. While many see this as a keep-busy fight for Inoue, Crolla hopes Doheny, who has rebuilt his career after a few losses, will give a good account of himself.
"Inoue is something special. He's arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter right now. I expect him to win inside four rounds, but I hope Doheny can make it competitive."
As the boxing world gears up for this mix of exhibition spectacles and professional contests, Crolla's insights offer a balanced view of the sport's current landscape. From veteran legends returning to the ring to up-and-coming stars cementing their legacies, there's plenty for boxing fans to look forward to in the coming months.