Jake Paul and Mike Tyson were supposed to take to the ring at Arlington's AT&T Stadium last week, but due to an ulcer flare-up that Tyson suffered in May, their highly-anticipated fight has been pushed back to November -- giving fans, analysts, and former boxers more opportunities to weigh in on the bout.
Controversy continues to surround the Paul-Tyson fight, seeing as 58-year-old Tyson is making his return to the ring after a 19-year absence. Recently-resurfaced comments from a boxing legend who was once Tyson's contemporary during their glory days make it clear that while the fight may draw plenty of eyeballs to Netflix, there will be those who are not going to view it positively -- or, in Bernard Hopkins' case, view it at all.
Bernard Hopkins is disgusted with the Paul-Tyson bout
Hopkins, a former undisputed middleweight title holder in a career that spanned nearly 30 years, told Fight Hub TV in no uncertain terms that Tyson is only hurting himself and his legacy by agreeing to fight Paul -- a master promoter who has proven he will take significant risks to earn a bumper payday.
"I don't like it," Hopkins said of the fight, now scheduled for Nov. 15. "I look at Mike different in the way of my era, like people looked at (Muhammad) Ali."
Hopkins did not stop there. The 59-year-old, retired since 2016, has claimed he will find something else to do other than watch the fight, which he has called a "sideshow."
"I could watch two turtles race and be more excited," Hopkins said. "I just think it degrades (Tyson)."
Even with his health concerns, Tyson has seemed eager to battle Paul, the 27-year-old former YouTube star who is quickly making a name for himself in the ring. While boxing great Lennox Lewis has previously expressed enthusiasm for the fight, it is safe to count Hopkins among the detractors.
