Jake Paul has come in for some considerable criticism for seeking out a fight with the man who broke the record to be youngest ever heavyweight world champion, Mike Tyson.
That win was almost forty years ago and Tyson hasn’t fought professionally since 2005. When it was announced that the bout wouldn’t be an exhibition and was to have pro rules – albeit altered to make it easier on the fighters – fans, boxers and pundits alike were not happy with Paul.
Now, speaking to Title Sports Network, coach Larry Wade – who has worked with the likes of Shawn Porter and Caleb Plant before the former YouTuber – revealed that it was ‘Iron’ Mike who pushed for it to be a real fight.
“Listen, Mike wanted it that way. I thought it was gonna be an exhibition as well but Mike said he wanted it to be a real fight. I don’t know if he felt like he wanted to get something off his chest or not. But the one thing you better learn about Jake Paul is he’s crazy. Jake’s like ‘all right, you want a real fight I’m gonna bring you a real fight.’
So we were like okay, well Mike’s just like any other fighter we gotta line up against. We got much love for Mike … but at the end of the day Mike is just another guy in the ring we gotta get out of there.”
The event got off to a terrible start when 58-year-old Tyson, with his health already a concern, was forced to postpone due to an ulcer flare-up.
Jake Paul kept the original date and knocked out former UFC fighter in Mike Perry, clearing the path to now face the former undisputed heavyweight champion on November 15.
