The upcoming boxing clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has sparked controversy yet again. Renowned boxing icon Canelo Alvarez joins the chorus of disapproval against this event.
Numerous professional combat sports athletes have voiced their disdain for the impending bout. Notably, UFC CEO Dana White has openly expressed his disapproval. He also highlighted the glaring age gap between the 57-year-old Tyson and the significantly younger Paul.
In an interview with TMZ, Canelo Alvarez made his stance clear. He stated his lack of interest in witnessing the spectacle. Alvarez asserted that the event seems more like a “show” than a genuine boxing match.
He said: “Not at all, with Netflix being involved, yes, that’s good, but not in that kind of fights, I think it’s more show than a fight.”
Alvarez elaborated on his viewpoint, dismissing the relevance of the involvement of platforms like Netflix. He believes that such matchups prioritize entertainment over the essence of true combat sports.
In contrast to the criticism directed towards him, Jake Paul appears undisturbed. He anticipates that the bout will shatter viewership records.
He confidently states: “This is in my mind the biggest fight the world will ever see.”
Tyson and Paul are slated to face off live on Netflix in July at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. However, Tyson first has to pass a series of medical exams.
Tyson’s age beyond 36 means that in order to be sanctioned for a professional match, he has to clear both an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an electroencephalogram (EEG).
Should these tests prove unsuccessful, the match may be reduced to an exhibition. This would thus need changing the rules to include thicker gloves and shorter rounds. Such a change would present challenges for the promoters, who want to market the bout as a professional one.
This would increase worries about a possible postponement, especially if Tyson’s camp is required to undergo further testing.