Many in the sport feel Mike Tyson‘s decision to return to the ring against Jake Paul is a bad move.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion hung up the gloves on back-to-back losses back in 2005, donning them just once more in 2020 for a well-executed exhibition against Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson will fight again this month against Paul, a man 30 years his junior who has been active in the ring mostly against former UFC fighters, building up a record of ten wins with seven knockouts and one loss.
The pair will face off over eight two minute rounds sporting 14 ounce gloves. They will not be wearing head gear and knockdowns and knockouts are permitted. It has been sanctioned in this form by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
Thought there is a gulf in experience, plenty of high profile figures in boxing have criticised the event for the dangers it poses to 58-year-old ‘Iron’ Mike. That does not include Shannon Briggs.
Speaking to KO Artists Sports, Briggs – who grew up in the same area of Brownsville, Brooklyn as Tyson – predicted an easy win for the veteran.
“Easy work for Mike. Yeah [a knockout] for sure.”
Briggs previously trained Jake Paul and his brother, Logan, at the beginning of their foray into the sport. He has previously praised the 27-year-old’s skills as a novice fighter.
Despite mixed opinions, there is little doubt that the event – which features the highly-anticipated rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano as chief support – will be a streaming success. It represents Netflix’s first entrance into boxing and live sport and will be available to all subscribers backed by a three-part series in the lead up.
