A viral video of British heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora has seen the upcoming fight between YouTuber Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson the target of even more ridicule.
On Friday, it was reported the pair would fight an exhibition bout screened on Netflix, despite the 57-year-old Tyson being 30 years older than the 27-year-old Paul.
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Tyson, who retired in 2005 with a record of 50-6 (2 no contests), fought in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr. in a draw that most people believed was a clear win to Tyson.
Paul comes in with a 9-1 record including six KOs but mostly against former UFC fighters or one-sided farces against boxers. His only loss came against boxer Tommy Fury last year.
When the news was announced, the bout was roundly slammed.
“You’re fighting someone who was born in 1966,” tweeted Dillon Danis, who fought and lost to Logan Paul. “Have some shame.”
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” UFC great Michael Bisping tweeted to Paul. “And the biggest joke is you don’t even slightly realise why.
Although his claims have since been denied via combat sports reporter Ariel Helwani, Chisora claimed to have insider knowledge about what’s planned, and it wouldn’t make boxing fans happy.
“I know for a fact they are using 18oz gloves and headguards if I’m not mistaken,” Chisora said. “So we’d be watching a sparring match.
When pushed on whether it wouldn’t be a real fight, Chisora added: “I dunno man, how old is Jake Paul? A guy who is 24 (sic), fighting a guy who’s f**king 56 (sic). It’s a f**king joke.
“You think I’m paying to watch that?
“Only kids will pay to watch that. And parents will give their kids money to watch that.”
Speaking on The MMA Hour, Helwani claimed that details were still being worked out but he was told headgear would not be used.
“They’re still working on a few important details based on the conversations I’ve had.” Helwani said.
“Is it pro or is it exhibition? They want pro, but that’s up to the Texas commission, we’ll have to wait and see. Weight? I’m told heavyweight. Rounds? I’m working on that as well.
“I saw an interview with Derek Chisora where he said there would be headgear. I was told there’s absolutely no headgear involved. This is going to look like your typical boxing match.
“It’s just like, exhibition like Mike’s last fight was against Roy Jones in November 2020? Or is it just going to be a normal, pro-heavyweight fight that has no strings attached in that regard?”
So while Helwani shut down some of the rumours, there are still plenty more questions, including the health of Tyson.
In 2022, a video circulated of Tyson walking around with a walking stick as he battled sciatica. A month later, he was seen in a wheelchair but insisted he was just dealing with “a back issue”.
While Tyson has share vision his workouts, plenty of fans are concerned for him.
TalkSPORT pundit Spencer Oliver said: “I’m scared about it to be honest.
“You look at the bad health he has been in recently, we’ve seen him on crutches and I think the kid from the Disney channel is going to knock out Mike Tyson.
“I just can’t get my head around it to be honest. I think it is a sad day for the sport. What damage would that do to Mike Tyson’s legacy?
“We fast-forward twenty-odd years and he’s getting in the ring, and I think it is a sad spectacle because he probably gets knocked out.
“Have you seen the condition he is in? He is 57-years-old and is not in great health come on man.”
Another issue Tyson may have is his use of marijuana.
While the fight is scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Texas, Tyson has made millions from his marijuana empire, with claims “it’s changed his life”.
In 2020, Tyson also confessed to smoking $A82,000 of his own supply every month, while raking in a reported $A1m a month.
But marijuana is illegal in Texas and the Texas commission is strict when it comes to testing.
The NY Sun’s George Willis contacted the Texas commission, who stated the pair would be tested whether or not the fight is an exhibition or a professional bout.
Sounds like whatever happens, this will be a circus.