Ricky Hatton previews Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson: “This fight is absolutely baffling!”
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton spoke with Spinbet and analysed the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, claiming it could end badly for the youngster before branding the fight ‘baffling’.
It was on March 7 when the shock announcement was spread across social media to reveal that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will be facing retired heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, live and free on Netflix.
Mike Tyson is currently 57 and retired in 2005; Jake Paul is 27 and only fought earlier this month.
‘The Hitman’ said, “I don’t want to sound like I’m contradicting myself, but I mean from an old school boxing fan and fighter, some of the fights being made now are a scratch your head type of thing.
“No blame to anyone. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson can do what they like but show me the contract and then I’ll believe the fight happens. If it is put in front of you then you’re not going to say no and would have to consider with the amount of money involved in it but this fight is absolutely baffling.”
Mike Tyson was once revered and feared as the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ right from his pro debut in 1985 – 12 years before Jake Paul was even born – to when he made history as the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the WBC belt in 1986 at the age of 20 and 145 days.
His meteoric rise to fame and fortune inevitably coincided with a few personal problems, including stints in prison, but he is now financially sound, as fit as ever, and can often be seen at many high-profile boxing events.
“Mike seems to be getting better in looking after himself and is in a good place,” Hatton continued. “We all know the history of Mike and what he went through but he is doing great and is in the gym training at 57.
“He still looks ferocious, and I have seen his punching power online so I think Jake Paul will be in trouble. You have to respect the younger guy will outbox him, and pick him off with speed because he’s the smaller man, but from what I see on social media on how Mike is training, trust me I would not take up the offer to fight him, so good luck to Jake.
“The name and brand gets you the opportunity these days and not what you’ve done in the ring. The name gets you the opportunity. But you don’t have to fight the best person in boxing now, it’s not what you’ve done or achieved. Gone are the days of fighting for a world title, and people choose to double the purse and fight the YouTuber, and if being honest that’s the problem I have with boxing.”