Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. recently appeared on the ‘It Is What It Is’ podcast. He shared his thoughts on Jake Paul’s upcoming match against former world champion Mike Tyson, set for July 20.
Mayweather retired with an impeccable 50-0 record after defeating UFC star Conor McGregor by TKO in 2017. He still remains an influential figure in the boxing world. At 47 years old, he continues to stay relevant. He competed in an exhibition match against Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul.
As the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson matchup draws near, the undefeated boxer’s opinion on this highly anticipated Netflix event was eagerly sought by ‘It Is What It Is’.
Contrary to other boxing legends, Mayweather offered an unusual compliment to Jake Paul. But it did come with a hint of sarcasm.
Mayweather stated: “I mean, what he [Jake Paul] is doing is kinda cool. If he can continue to steal money, and they match him the way they match him, I can’t knock his hustle. So if they can match him how they’ve been matching him, more power to him.”
While Mayweather’s comments were somewhat supportive, other former champions like Carl Froch and Tony Bellew were far less complimentary. Froch stated that the match “shouldn’t be happening,” while Bellew described it as a “disgrace” to boxing.
Former UFC star Michael Bisping added to the criticism. He labelled the event as a “sham,” particularly in light of Tyson’s recent health scare.
Concerns about the match’s viability intensified after Tyson experienced a medical emergency on May 27 during a flight. The issue was later identified as an ulcer flare-up which required immediate treatment both on the plane and upon landing. This incident led many boxing fans to worry that the match might be canceled.
However, Tyson quickly dispelled these fears. He asserted that he is now 100% fit. Jake Paul echoed this confidence, boldly declaring his intention to “f**k Tyson up” in the ring come July.
Despite the controversy, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event is expected to draw a massive audience. The match is set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Additionally, millions more are expected to tune in worldwide via Netflix.
