Ricky Hatton previews Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson despite being sceptical about the controversial contest
Ricky Hatton spoke to Action Network and spoke about the highly-divisive Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson contest schedule for November 15 in Texas.
The contest was originally set for July 20 but was delayed after Tyson fell ill and couldn’t train. Aged 58, ‘Iron Mike’ was stopped in his last two fights, almost 20 years ago now.
Manchester’s ‘Hitman’ Hatton previewed the 8×2 heavyweight bout, but made his feelings very clear that he’s not endorsing the fight at all, due to Tyson’s advanced age.
What did you make of Jake Paul v Mike Tyson’s press conference?
RH: “I’ve seen it and Mike Tyson was pushing him but with a smile on his face which shows to me that it’s a bit for camera.
“I think it’s madness. Mike Tyson is one of my heroes and is one who is everyone’s hero and I have no doubt that he is one of Jake Paul’s heroes. So why you would want to fight one of your heroes who is nearly 60 years of age? And potentially hurting one of your heroes is madness.
“Mike looks great on the pads, really explosive and I hope I’m like him at 60, but that’s only 10 seconds bursts. Can he maintain it for a number of rounds?
“I’m all for the exhibitions. MMA fighters can fight, YouTubers can fight someone else, and I get that world exists, but I think something should be put in place to stop something like this happening.
“Mike is our hero and is 58 years old. He has every chance of flattening Jake Paul but, at 58, is he in condition to come back from what’s going to come at him by Jake Paul? I can’t say I’m a fan of this.”
What do you make of Jake Paul’s trash talk?
RH: “I’ve only seen it from a distance, but I think Jake Paul is a bit of a d*** to be honest with you. I get that’s the world we live in now with the youngsters on social media and the YouTubers, it’s what they love with a bit of controversy. It’s just from an era that I didn’t come from.
“I had a massive following and I didn’t slag anyone off or call anyone names or threaten anyone. I find some of the stuff not just from Jake but other people in this era, I just think what’s the game come to?
“You’re talking about someone who is 58 and you’re saying ‘I’m going to put him into retirement’. I wouldn’t want to fight anyone at 58 years old.
“Nothing seems to surprise me anymore and I don’t get wound up from it or too involved in it, I just accept it for what it is these days.”
How do you see the fight going itself?
RH: “I fought Marco Antonio Barrera for eight, two-minute rounds but mine was an exhibition but I believe this is a proper fight. I think if Mike hits him, he’ll knock him into the middle of next week.
“He looks very fast and very explosive. He looks fantastic for his age. But if you’re in Jake Paul’s corner you would think, ‘he is 58 years old and I’m just going to give him the first two rounds, jab and move, keep out of his range and hopefully he will gas’. You’d expect him to at his age.
“Mike will probably put all of his eggs in one basket and start early because of his age and, if I was Jake, I would stay out of his jab, wait for him to slow down a bit and put my foot down on the gas.
“I can see Mike by knockout, if he is to win, or, if Jake is going to win, then he will win on points.”