The upcoming boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has understandably been the subject of criticism. Count Eddie Hearn among those voices.
While promoting a busy slate of high-profile bouts, the Matchroom head spoke very plainly about why he feels Mike Tyson should not be entering the ring in November.
“What on earth are we doing? I’m lucky enough to have a business where we don’t need to do that. And I never will do that,” he told Daily Mail. “Anyone that thinks that Tyson should be in the ring right now either doesn’t have his best interests at heart or is an idiot,” he continued.
Mike Tyson, who won his first heavyweight title in 1986, last competed in 2020 when he fought fellow aged legend Roy Jones Jr to a split draw. That lackluster exhibition match took place over 15 years after “Iron” Mike retired from professional boxing.
The contest, which was originally scheduled for July 20, was postponed after the 58-year-old suffered an ulcer flare-up while traveling from Miami to Los Angeles.
“Mike Tyson left the sport of boxing, which was, what, 20 years ago, I don’t know, something like that. You honestly think that a fighter that was shot to pieces 20 years ago should now be coming back?”
The fact that Tyson is being paired with a social media influencer with limited boxing experience does not make his return any more palatable for Hearn. “I know he is only fighting Jake Paul, but it doesn’t matter. Jake Paul’s a powerful kid. He trains every day. He can punch.”
Hearn: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is ‘Very Sad’
You can call Hearn’s words about Tyson vs. Paul harsh, but you can’t call them inconsistent. When the fight was originally announced in March, the promoter called the match-up “very sad” but understood the appeal outside of hardcore boxing fans.
Related: Jake Paul next fight: ‘Problem Child’ is back in November to face ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
“It’s a big event. I understand people are going to watch it and it’s entertainment I guess. But for someone that idolized the guy growing up, yeah not the best day,” he told FightHub TV.
Hearn is no stranger to the celebrity-driven subset of boxing that the fight is in line with. In 2019, Matchroom promoted a fight between Jake’s older brother, Logan Paul, and YouTube personality KSI.
Since then, Hearn has stuck to the more legitimate side of pugilism.
“I get, I get the business. I’m not criticizing them, but for me, no thank you. Not in a million years,” he said.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will meet on Nov 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The bout will serve as the main event and air live on Netflix.
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