Mike Tyson returns to the ring against Jake Paul this weekend and the boxing world waits, some in anticipation others with a bitter taste, to see what happens.
The 30-year age gap has dominated the conversation in the lead-up, with many feeling Tyson – who had top level fights against the likes of Evander Holyfield over two decades ago – is too old to be facing Paul, 27, over eight two-minute rounds.
In a clip shared by Clocked n Loaded, ‘The Real Deal’ still referred to the fight as an exhibition despite the soft professional rules. Even still, he says his former opponent is ‘supposed to win.’
“My whole thing is that it’s an exhibition, so I don’t know what’s gonna happen.
I just know that Mike Tyson’s supposed to beat him. He’s supposed to.
But, in a situation like this it’s a big money thing, so ain’t no telling what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna be there. I’ll go watch it.”
In a separate interview with Fight Hub TV, Holyfield, who beat Tyson twice, said there’s a chance the inexperienced Paul gets caught.
“If he stays close to Mike then his chance of winning is going to be great, but if he tries to stay back from Mike he’s going to get caught. Mike is like a snake. He’ll pop out on you. He gets there too quick. But if you charge him, you’re going to smother him.
“He pushes off his legs so he’s too close, but if you give him room everybody gets knocked out going backwards. Give him room and you’re gonna be messed up.”
Others in the sport have also expressed a belief that the fight won’t be as competitive as the promotion suggests. Top trainer Robert Garcia sees it more as a professional wrestling style event and Teddy Atlas says he has a feeling that there could be a ‘scripted’ element.
The main event will be propped up by a genuine top-level rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. It is available worldwide on Netflix.
