Ricky Hatton has called for Mike Tyson's fight against Jake Paul to be called off. The Hitman branded the bout "an absolute joke", insisting it was "entertainment" rather than boxing.
The American duo, who have 30 years between them, are set to do battle on July 20 at the 80,000-seater AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will also be streamed live on Netflix in a boxing first.
But in an explosive chat with Lord Ping, Hatton, 45, urged someone to step in and stop the pair from fighting, for the sake of both Tyson's safety and the reputation of the sport.
Five players Reds cashed in on at perfect time with Mo Salah possibly next
"I think it’s a complete shambles to be honest with you. Someone needs to have a word and try and stop it from happening," Hatton fumed.
"I’ve always said that the influencer fighting game is entertainment, and I’ve never really had an issue with influencer boxing... if people want to watch it, then that’s fine. [But] let’s call it what it is, entertainment.
"There’s room for both boxing and influencer boxing as long as the big fights keep getting made. YouTubers fighting isn’t hurting the sport of boxing, boxing is hurting boxing because big fights aren’t happening.
"I don’t begrudge anyone making a few quid. Good luck to the likes of Tommy Fury, KSI, Jake Paul, whoever, but this fight is a complete fiasco. Someone needs to intervene and take it out of their hands. Money talks in the entertainment business, but come on!"
The Manchester-born former fighter claimed Paul, 27, wouldn't be able to live with himself if he badly hurt Tyson, 57, during the bout, given that the Baddest Man on the Planet was one of his childhood heroes.
"If he were to knock him out, he’ll be knocking out one of his heroes," Hatton said. "How could he live with that on his conscience? It doesn’t matter how much money is involved, how would you be able to look at yourself in the mirror?
"I think it’s completely crazy. It’s a joke. Nothing surprises me in the boxing and entertainment business. I don’t mind the influencers doing their thing, I don’t mind the exhibition fights when the matchups are even, but this one is on another level completely."
Tyson hasn't fought professionally since 2005, though did have an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr in 2020. He's been in fighting shape ever since, but has suffered the odd health scare in recent weeks, casting some doubt on whether the clash will go ahead.
Paul, meanwhile, is looking to win his fourth fight on the spin, having bounced back from his defeat to Tommy Fury last year. He's beaten former UFC ace Nate Diaz, Andre August and most recently Ryan Bourland, but many believe his match with Tyson is his biggest test yet.
