Eddie Hearn vows to boycott Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight with boxing promoter extremely worried
Eddie Hearn has vowed to boycott the upcoming showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, with the boxing promoter worried for the former’s safety.
The showdown between the two Americans was confirmed back in March and, after it was pushed back, the pair are preparing to slog it out in the ring on November 15.
The fight is a controversial one, however, due to the age gap between the two men.
Tyson is 58, with Paul 27. As a result, many figures associated with the sport are worried the boxing icon could suffer a serious injury when he makes his return after a four-year absence.
One of Hearn’s fighters, Katie Taylor, features on the undercard of the big event.
But the 45-year-old has vowed to walk out after her fight with Amanda Serrano.
“I think it’s a huge shame that one of the biggest legends of the sport comes back, 20 years after everybody knew he shouldn’t be boxing anymore,” he told talkSPORT.
“At 55 or however old he is… He’s 58? Jesus Christ, he’s nearly 60.
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“Like, you have no respect for the sport of boxing if you put Mike Tyson in a ring at 58 years of age.
“And if he gets hurt, then it’s on those people… I’ll watch Katie Taylor and then I’ll leave. I can’t watch that.”
Hearn has previously dubbed the clash ‘sad’.
Speaking to the BBC recently, he said: “If I was Jake Paul I’d just feel a little bit embarrassed to be honest with you. It’s a liberty.
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“This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing.”
Despite the controversy, however, Tyson has no plans to pull out.
The boxing icon’s former trainer, Jeff Fenech, recently talked with the heavyweight star.
And he said that Tyson was going to go ahead with the clash as he looks to summon the magic of old.
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“If it was my decision, I’d much prefer him not fight at all, but he’s going to fight,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times [recently]. I spoke to him about the fight.
“Realistically, if Mike uses upstairs and nothing else, and does the right things, this could be the easiest money he’s ever made.
“When you’re both throwing punches, it’s a 50/50 thing who lands.
“But if Mike concentrates and makes him miss, and then makes him pay… That’s what Mike’s an expert in, he’s got great head movement.
“If he does that in 30 seconds, the fight could be over in 30 seconds.
“Mike just needs to use his common sense, don’t try to punch when he’s punching, make him miss and make him pay.”