Jake Paul could be making a mistake stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson if their fight doesn’t already have an “agreed” ending in WWE, the boxing legend’s former trainer Teddy Atlas has said.
Paul, 27, sparked outrage earlier this month when he announced he would face Tyson, 57, in a controversial age mismatch live on Netflix in July.
Despite his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, the prospect of seeing “Iron” Mike return to the ropes just after his 58th birthday, to face a young professional boxer 30 years his junior, has sparked controversy in both boxing worlds. and the world of sport.
Many fear for Tyson’s health ahead of the fight, which could still be staged as a professional contest – especially since he was recently spotted using a cane.
However, Atlas – who once helped legendary trainer Cus D’Amato train Tyson – believes Paul is the one to take the risk with one of the heaviest punchers boxing has ever seen.
Jake Paul could be making a mistake stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson, says Teddy Atlas, former trainer of the boxing legend.
Paul, 27, sparked outrage earlier this month when he announced he would face Tyson, 57, in a controversial age mismatch live on Netflix in July.
But Atlas, who helped train Tyson in his early years, fears for Paul if the fight is genuine.
He said on his Podcast “The Fight”: ‘This is where I’m going to make people sit back and say “did he just say that?”… I think it’s a very dangerous fight for Paul .
“I think maybe he’s making a mistake, because first of all, other than money – and he’s made a lot of money – there’s not much to gain on his side.
“If he wins, we say he is 58 years old, and if he loses, we say he is 58 years old, you lost to a 58 year old guy. For me, he has a lot more to lose than Tyson. Much more.
“There is nothing for Tyson to lose. If he wins, one way or another, people will thank him. “Thank you for ending this charade. Thanks for teaching this guy that you’re either a fighter or not a fighter, you can’t go from being a YouTuber to being a fighter.”
“So the people who believe that, who feel that way, who don’t like Paul, are going to support Tyson even higher and say thank you for teaching these guys a lesson.”
He then added: “I’m going to make your hair stand up again…(that is) unless it’s a WWE deal – which I don’t know if so, i’ve never said this before because i think all these fights are legit, but this one gives me pause.
“I don’t question Paul’s integrity, in fact I like his integrity. I like what I saw from the guy.
“But I’m just saying if there was ever a time where I would question it, this would be the time because unless Paul is convinced that Tyson is too old now, and he’s so good… .all I know is it’s the first time I said, “I wonder if there’s a deal.”
“Because if there is no agreement, Paul could make a mistake.
Former “Iron” Mike’s manager questioned whether there was an agreement between the two men for a fixed ending to the fight in WWE.
Despite his age and the fact that he hasn’t competed professionally in nearly two decades, Atlas fears that Paul would have had his eyes bigger than his stomach if there wasn’t an agreement in place to fix the result.
The YouTuber turned fighter, who has won nine of his 10 professional fights, has previously refuted accusations that his contests were staged, including when he knocked out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
“I think the risk might be greater than the reward,” Atlas said if his fight with Tyson is genuine. “I’m really surprised that Paul is taking this risk.
“I don’t know if it’s because of his confidence or if he really feels like Tyson has deteriorated to this point in his life where he can handle it.
“But I say, you better be aware the way I would be, knowing Tyson like I know him, the power doesn’t go away even when you’re old.”
He then joked: “And if you have a deal with him, good luck!” Because I know Tyson.
“When that bell rings, he may have a brief memory of an agreement other than putting one of those hands on your chin.”