One of the most feared knockout punchers in boxing today, Deontay Wilder, has sent a message of concern to Mike Tyson ahead of a controversial return to the sport.
‘Iron’ Mike last fought in an exhibition with strict rules against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, but his final professional bout was way back in 2005 – a stoppage loss to Kevin McBride.
Despite that, the 57-year-old has signed a deal with Netflix to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Wilder, who is in training for a fight with Zhilei Zhang on June 1, told Sportsbook Review that he didn’t approve of the fight getting the green light.
“I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike because he hasn’t been active in 20 years. God forbid he gets hurt. There’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. He’s too old for this.”
Wilder, who hasn’t been shy in expressing his distaste towards the business side of boxing in the past, ultimately feels that there’s a lack of care for the heavyweight legend.
“At the end of the day, no one gives a f*** about Mike, because if they did they wouldn’t sanction the fight… I don’t want the last thing I remember of him to be him getting knocked out by a YouTuber.”
The fight has been met with criticism from fighters, fans and pundits, especially since the more recent news that it will be professionally sanctioned. Tyson and Paul will sport 14oz gloves for eight, two-minute rounds on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
