Mike Tyson against Jake Paul is car crash TV and that’s why millions will tune in.
I’ve worked with Paul and he is a very shrewd businessman along with his team and they were a pleasure to deal with. Paul has garnered more respect in the fight game than other YouTube and social media stars because he’s got himself licensed and fought a boxer like Tommy Fury.
But he’s fighting a 58-year-old man next Friday night in Texas and it shouldn’t be happening. Tyson is a legend of the sport but he’s now an old man who should no longer be in the ring. A man of his age should not be taking punches to the head. Even if it is with bigger gloves, over eight two-minute rounds.
Is it bad for boxing? I don’t see it as boxing. I put it in the same pot as Misfits and stuff like that. If someone wants to do something and it is not impacting or interfering with other people then who are we to stop them? It’s their decision.
But it becomes a different debate when we are talking about it being sanctioned as a real fight. Some people do need protecting from themselves.
(Image: 1989 Focus on Sport)
But will it have any impact on the sport? I don’t think so. If Paul wins then he goes on and fights someone else in another numbers-friendly event.
If Tyson wins then it doesn’t mean much. He’s going to struggle after the first round or two unless he still has his power and catches Paul.
The numbers will be huge. The world has gone mad. It’s not just a fight, it’s a huge TV production like reality TV. They’re drawing eyeballs and a lot of people will watch it because of Paul’s following and lots of people will watch it because Mike Tyson is Mike Tyson.
As a business proposition it ticks all the boxes. For the health of a 58-year-old man it is madness. Will I watch it? I won’t be staying up for it that’s for sure. But I’m probably not their target audience.