In a scathing critique of the upcoming bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, prominent British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has voiced serious concerns about the former heavyweight champion’s return to the ring. Hearn, known for his candid opinions in the boxing world, didn’t mince words when discussing the controversial matchup.
“What on earth are we doing?” Hearn exclaimed in disbelief during an interview with the Daily Mail. The Matchroom Boxing chairman expressed his dismay at the prospect of Tyson, now 57, stepping back into the squared circle after two decades away from professional competition.
Hearn’s primary concern stems from Tyson’s condition upon leaving the sport. “Mike Tyson left the sport of boxing — which was, what, 20 years ago, I don’t know, something like that — he was shot to pieces,” Hearn stated. He questioned the wisdom of allowing a fighter who was past his prime two decades ago to compete again, regardless of the opponent.
The promoter acknowledged Jake Paul’s dedication to training and physical prowess but maintained that the age gap and Tyson’s long absence from the sport make the matchup ill-advised. “Jake Paul’s a powerful kid. He trains every day, he can punch,” Hearn noted, highlighting the potential risks involved.
While Hearn understands the business aspect of the event, he made it clear that his organization, Matchroom Boxing, would never engage in such ventures. “I’m lucky enough to have a business where we don’t need to do that. And I will never do that,” he affirmed.
The bout, scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has already faced setbacks. Originally slated for July 20, the event was postponed after Tyson experienced a medical emergency during a cross-country flight in May.
Despite the criticism, the event has garnered significant attention, with Netflix set to broadcast the spectacle to its vast subscriber base of over 260 million viewers. The streaming giant’s involvement underscores the immense public interest in the unconventional matchup.
