Tony Bellew and ‘nice grandad’ thrown out of Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul press convention
Former boxing world champion Tony Bellew was shown the door at Mike Tyson’s press event with Jake Paul after he launched into a tirade against the internet sensation.
Bellew, who looked every bit as imposing as a heavyweight, was in Texas courtesy of betting company Paddy Power and disrupted the press conference to unleash his ‘fury’ on Paul. He even brought along an older man, suggesting him as Paul’s next opponent, but the gag fell flat when technical issues rendered Bellew’s mic useless, leaving the ex-cruiserweight king unheard.
As the grey haired man next to him dressed in boxing gear threw shadow punches, Bellew said: “Jake Paul, the biggest clown in boxing. If Mike lets you survive, I’ve got his next opponent… I’ve got a great grandfather, not a grandfather, this’s guy’s got two new hips, he’s a great grandfather.”
However, combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, who was hosting the conference, kept asking if it was Bellew speaking, as his words couldn’t be heard. And the scene ended with Bellew being escorted out by security, while a puzzled Paul watched on.
The Liverpool-born fighter has been vocal in his criticism of Paul, who has carved out a boxing career since turning pro in 2020, reports the Mirror. Paul is set to face 58-year-old Tyson in what will be his 12th pro bout, having suffered his sole loss to Tommy Fury last year.
Bellew had earlier lambasted Paul for agreeing to fight Tyson, saying to Best Offshore Sports Books: “Mike Tyson’s a granddad. He’s 58-years-old. He’s closing in on 60 and he’s fighting a man who isn’t even half his age. The Disney Boy is just attacking granddads now. It’s truly frightening. I mean, we might as well go to the retirement home and start getting out a few of them.
“If Mike turns up and lands a right hand on him, he’s going to sleep. So who should he come back against? A 70-year-old? If he wins, is he going to keep going like that with the age? Is he going to come down? Is he going to face a real boxer?
Amid Bellew’s interruption, Tyson was rather tight-lipped just two days before his ring comeback. Tyson last stepped into the ring four years ago when he and Roy Jones Jr ended in a dull draw after eight rounds.
Paul then questioned whether the boxing legend would follow through on his threat to knock out the social media sensation, saying: “He’s says he’s going to kill me, is that right? I want that killer, I want there to be no excuses when I knock him out.”
When asked about Tyson labelling him a “manufactured killer”, Paul retorted: “Whatever he wants to think, everyone’s entitled to their opinion but the deadliest weapon on the planet is manufactured, it’s a nuke.
“Someone’s getting put to sleep, it’s going to be a war. We’re both heavy hitters and it’s not going the distance.”
