Jim Lampley says at Tyson’s age it’s always risky to get into the ring.
Longtime boxing commentator Jim Lampley shares his perspective on this weekend’s Netflix fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. Lampley says given Tyson’s age and the fact that he’s fighting someone in their physical prime of life, he believes it poses a dangerous proposition for Tyson and hope nothing bad comes of it.
“I hope that Mike makes a ton of money, he’s a dear and old friend,” Lampley said. “My television boxing career calling his several exposures on ABC sports back in the 80s, known him a long time, love him. I want his life to be what he wants it to be and so I hope that Mike does well in the business of the fight and doesn’t get hurt.
“Obviously when a man is 57, almost 58 years old going into the ring, I don’t care who the opponent is. The opponent could be a figure skater, he’s still taking a chance. And so I think Mike is taking a chance with this because Jake Paul will train, Jake Paul will lift weights, Jake Paul will get himself into shape to do the best that he can possibly do and try to land one big shot and separate Mike from his senses long enough to get a win.
“So I think the essence of the drama is ‘is Jake Paul going to knock Mike out or is Mike going to go through the necessary motions and show enough energy and commitment over however many rounds it takes to gradually beat down Jake Paul and get a win. And I hope Mike comes out of it healthy and wealthier.
“The age difference is big enough that the event is dangerous and I kind of wish Mike found some other way to do business rather than to fight somebody who’s Jake’s age and has a chance to get into the kind of shape that Jake might get into. But he’s still a far piece removed from understanding boxing and having the kind of refined skills that Mike had at his peak.
“I love him, I’m rooting for him, I’m not going to make the buy. It’s not an event that I want to see. It’s too much of a distortion. It’s not competition, it’s a freak show.”
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