Jake Paul and Mike Tyson were set to have a boxing match earlier this year, but the bout was cancelled due to Tyson’s medical emergency. Following this, a new date has been set for the fight, November 15, and both boxers are ready to hit the ring.
Despite criticism, both fighters are eager to fight and have had several press conferences. A recent one was held in New York City, but Paul used the opportunity to taunt Tyson about his age. This trash talk has been Paul’s strategy since the match-up, as he took it a step further this time by putting on an aggressive show and even roasting the booing audience by saying, “You’re just like Mike Tyson, you were good 20 years ago.”
Paul’s strategy wasn’t surprising, as he is known for being provocative, but not everyone was pleased by his actions. UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping was appalled by Paul’s comment and took to his YouTube channel to share his thoughts on it.
“Jake, I hate to point out the obvious. That makes you look pathetic,” Bisping said. “You just admitted that you’re going up against an old man, who is a legend, of course, but he’s not that guy anymore. Jake Paul, he’s a total — he’s just a tool bag. I’m not going to lower myself and swear. Look at him. It’s nice to see that he’s finally getting booed and the kind of response that he deserves…”
“You are a disgrace to the combat world. You’re an imposter. You’re a wannabe. And you’re a fake. Challenge yourself, you pathetic man, you pathetic individual. Fighting is about challenging yourself. Granted, business. Killing it in that regard. But don’t give me this fighter bullshit. That’s what gets on my nerves.”
Although it is well known that the fight is more about publicity and a cash grab than about the competition itself, Bisping still believes Paul shouldn’t underestimate Tyson.
“The man’s almost 60,” Bisping said. “He’s almost a pensioner. … Mike Tyson was a terrifying individual. To go up against that man, in his prime, Jesus Christ, he was one of the scariest individuals that we’ve ever seen throughout any combat sport. The man was a straight killer. Was. Again, the key word.
“I’m 45. When I was 25, I was a different person. I was a maniac. I was out of control and I would have fought anybody. And if I was Jake Paul right now, at 26 years old, and you said to me, ‘We’re going to give you someone that’s 58 years old,’ I’d have been like, ‘Oh my god. You’re going to pay me to do this? You’re going to pay me $40 million, whatever the price tag is, to go out there and beat up a guy like that? Oh my god.’ I would have said, ‘Stick it up your ass. Give me someone who is my age.’ Because that is not competition and that is what a true fighter would say and should say.”
Tyson’s last fight was in 2003. Since then, he has been in retirement. However, during his career, he has been a fierce opponent. The fight between Tyson and Paul will be streamed on Netflix and is rumoured to be one of the most anticipated boxing matches.
