Jake Paul's upcoming fight with Mike Tyson has got the boxing world talking. The YouTuber-turned-fighter will face the 57-year-old boxing legend in a sanctioned bout that's drawn both excitement and concern.
The fight will be eight rounds long, with each round lasting two minutes. The fighters will use 14-ounce gloves, which are heavier than those used in professional bouts. This setup aims to prioritize safety, given the significant age gap between the two fighters.
'Iron' Mike hasn't stepped into a professional ring in almost twenty years. His opponent, Jake Paul, is a novice fighter but has been more active recently. Paul's youth and power make him a formidable opponent, even against a boxing icon like Tyson.
Many in the sport worry about the fighters' health, especially Tyson's, given his age. But not everyone sees the match-up negatively.
Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight champion named after Mike Tyson, views the fight positively. In an interview with YouTube channel Boxing Social, Fury said:
"I think it's fantastic for boxing. You've got a legend in Mike Tyson, you've got a YouTube boxer who's come into the game and blew it up with millions of followers and millions of views. Good, bad or indifferent, some people love him, some people hate him. I think it's a really good spectacle for boxing, it brings a lot of people to the game. Who am I to say Mike Tyson shouldn't be boxing or Jake Paul shouldn't be boxing? Good luck to them, they're both gonna make what I call a s**t ton of money out of it."
However, Tommy Fury, Tyson's half-brother and the only man to have beaten Jake Paul, doesn't share this view. The 25-year-old fighter called the match-up "criminal" due to Tyson's advanced years. In an interview with IFL TV, Tommy Fury expressed his concerns:
"He's my idol from growing up. But I want to challenge young men who can challenge me properly. [I don't respect it] Why are you preparing to beat a guy who is 60 years of age, one of the best to ever do it? It's criminal, to be honest, I don't know why it's being allowed to happen. I hope both men come out unscathed."
The fight's date hasn't been announced yet, but it's clear that it'll be a major spectacle when it happens. While some see it as great entertainment, others worry about the potential risks involved. Regardless of the outcome, this match-up between a YouTube star and a boxing legend will undoubtedly draw significant attention to the sport.
