Jake Paul is set to face off with Mike Tyson in November, but there are growing concerns that the former heavyweight champion could be left seriously injured.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson square off on November 15 (Image: GETTY)
Jake Paul has received a stern caution that there could be a public outcry for boxing to be banned if he inflicts serious harm on Mike Tyson in their upcoming bout.
The duo are set to square off in Arlington, Texas on 15 November. This contest follows the postponement of their initial showdown due to a medical emergency experienced by Tyson, the former heavyweight world champion.
Concerns linger regarding Tyson's fitness. The 58-year-old has openly discussed his struggles with walking post-training and he will face a pre-fight medical assessment.
Ex-professional boxer Paulie Malignaggi has not minced his words, informing Paul that if Tyson sustains any injuries, there may be calls for the sport to be abolished.
Malignaggi explained: "Head blows from young, strong guys at Mike's age aren't good. When you're younger, you can handle hits better.
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Image: GETTY)
"When you're older, your body isn't made for that kind of damage anymore. Things could go badly wrong. If something like that happened, people would be calling for the sport to be banned. Personally, I don't think his fight with Jake Paul should happen.
"He'll be 58 years old by then. Fifty-eight is still 58. We live in a generation that doesn't understand ageing is a real thing. You can show highlights of Mike from the '80s, but the guy stepping into the ring won't be that same Mike Tyson."
Malignaggi has expressed serious concerns about the potential harm Paul could inflict on Tyson due to his age. Speaking to Canada Casino, he warned: "Jake Paul might not be world-class, but he's certainly not a novice. He's been boxing for about five years.
"After four years of boxing, I won the US National Championships, so Jake's far from a beginner. He's strong and young. Hitting someone Tyson's age has serious risks.
"Tyson wasn't taking punches well at 36, let alone now. If you hit a guy who's that old, it affects them. Imagine what getting hit by a strong guy like Jake would do to him. I wouldn't want to find out."
There are fears for Mike Tyson's safety going into his fight with Jake Paul (Image: GETTY)
However, Malignaggi is not alone in his worries about the upcoming fight. UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock also voiced his concerns, suggesting that fans could effectively be left mourning a boxing icon if Paul were to win.
"Here's what I say because like I said, I think what Jake Paul and them guys are doing is brilliant, I really do," Shamrock stated.
"I think them never fighting a contender but making more money than any world championship fight is brilliant. I mean it's brilliant but this one's not good. Because Jake Paul can't win."
"[If Paul] wins, there's a huge bad taste in the world of boxing. It's a disappointment to an organisation that has loved Mike Tyson.
"It is like the death of somebody and it should be victorious for Jake Paul and I think on that small group of people that are following, yes, but, in that whole atmosphere of boxing, it's gonna feel like somebody died."
