In the realm of boxing, the highly controversial bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is hardly being hailed as a purist’s delight. Professional boxer Josh Taylor expressed his disapproval, stating that neither he nor other serious boxers are enticed by the idea of this matchup.
The fight, scheduled for July 20, pits the social media star against the legendary former heavyweight champion, who at 57 has long since shed his “baddest man on the planet” image.
Even more concerning, Tyson’s dietary changes and recent training footage highlight potential challenges in his preparations for this fight. The bout will be Tyson’s first official appearance since his catastrophic loss to Irish journeyman Kevin McBride 19 years ago, aside from an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. Initially deemed non-competitive, the fight has since gained approval from Texas boxing authorities, a decision that many find controversial.
Meanwhile, Josh Taylor is gearing up for his own rematch against Jack Catterall in Leeds on May 25. While focusing on his training, Taylor admitted that he has little interest in the Paul-Tyson fight, believing it fails to reflect genuine boxing. “He’s just a showman,” Taylor told Express Sport about Paul. “Credit to him, he’s making a fortune, but it’s not real boxing. It’s a 57-year-old man fighting against a guy in the prime of his life.”
Despite Paul’s 9-1 professional record, primarily against fellow social media personalities and ex-UFC fighters, Taylor remains unconvinced that the fight will be meaningful. “Why is this even happening?” he asked. “Fighting an old man and calling it a professional contest, just to say you beat Mike Tyson? It’s ridiculous.”
At the same time, Taylor acknowledges the entertainment value that comes with such a spectacle. “People will watch because it’s Mike Tyson,” he added. Whether it’s a battle of generations or simply a lucrative stunt, the boxing world remains divided as to what this fight truly represents.
