Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will face off in a boxing match on July 20 at AT&T; Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will be broadcast on Netflix.
Terence Crawford, the current pound-for-pound king of boxing, doesn't want to see this fight happen. He shared his thoughts on the match-up during an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
When asked if he wanted to see the fight, Crawford's response was simple: "No. I don't."
The undisputed welterweight champion went on to explain his stance:
"I think Mike Tyson is an icon in boxing. He's done a lot for boxing in his own right. And I just think Mike is past his prime. Mike is old. I wouldn't want to see Mike go in the ring and get hurt in a fight where he just doing it for the money or entertainment. I just think him having his health problems is another added reason why I don't want to see him in the ring anymore."
Crawford's concerns aren't unfounded. The fight was originally scheduled for July 2023 but got postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up following a medical incident on a flight.
Despite these health concerns, recent footage shows Tyson training hard for the upcoming bout. The former heavyweight champion has been seen dropping a sparring partner and even busting his coach's lip during training sessions.
While Crawford doesn't approve of the match-up, other boxing figures have weighed in. Oscar De La Hoya has given a defiant prediction about the fight, though the details of his opinion weren't provided.
The fight between the 57-year-old boxing legend and the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer has sparked debate in the boxing community. As the July 20 date approaches, fans and critics will continue to discuss the merits and potential risks of this unique matchup.
