Mike Tyson’s return to the boxing ring before 80,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Texas while streamed to the nation without an extra charge would seemingly be the most positive development of the boxing year.
Yet, there’s such great angst over this Friday novelty bout on Netflix that pits the 58-year-old former world champion against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Will Tyson get badly hurt? What does Paul gain from victory? Will the fans who show up for this stay to support the sport for the long term?
One hundred years ago, the same kind of curiosity drew legions of people to see the bearded lady at the traveling circus.
Now, their great-grandchildren have come to watch the bald, aging legend returning from an ulcer.
“They’re here today, gone tomorrow,” ProBox TV analyst and former welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi said on Wednesday’s edition of “Top Stories.”
When Paul began his boxing escapade five years ago, Malinaggi said, “I was more a fan of believing in the concept that Jake would bring an audience to boxing, but I’ve realized the cast of characters Jake brings have no desire to learn boxing or educate themselves.”
Fellow analyst Chris Algieri pointed out what the educated follower knows.
“This is not a professional male boxing match,” because of the use of 14-ounce gloves and two-minute rounds, Algieri said.
Several states have restricted betting on the event given the uncertainty of its integrity.
“People who know the sport will be like, ‘Come on, dude,’ with this fight,” Algieri said. “But Jake’s YouTube fans – the sycophants – will be like, ‘He knocked out Mike Tyson!’
“But Mike Tyson’s 58!”
More than one prominent state boxing commissioner have expressed apprehension that Texas’ commission is allowing the event to proceed.
“Fifty-eight-year-old brains can not be getting hit like that,” Algieri said. “(Tyson) looks in better shape than he did months ago. Training is one thing. Getting hit in the brain for money is another. I don’t know how you get this sanctioned except it’s a cash grab.”
Malignaggi said he’s “not sure what to expect.” On one hand, Malignaggi said he’s pleased to see Tyson in better shape as the sometimes maniacal former champion has elevated as an informed ambassador of the sport.
“But not for a fight, not to get hit by a guy 30 years younger than him … ,” Malignaggi said. “Tyson was getting hit (20) years ago. Yeah, the gloves are 14 ounces. You still feel the shots. I’m one of those guys who were for Tyson … the no-betting (restrictions) in certain states is probably because Tyson has no shot at all.
“I’d honestly be suspicious of something being fixed if Tyson goes the distance. That’s how against this I am.”
Paul is no longer a novice at boxing, Malignaggi said, reminding that the YouTuber has devoted the past five years to the sport, posted some brutal knockouts in the ring and defeated the likes of UFC fighters Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz and Tyron Woodley.
“Guys were getting blasted in these fights. If Tyson goes the distance, it’s because Jake is taking his foot off the pedal,” Malignaggi said.
Algieri added, “I don’t know if this will be a real fight. Will Paul fight Tyson like he’s fought the others, like he’s shot out of a cannon, guns blazing? To knock out a 58-year-old man, what does that do for anybody? Is that really going to help (Paul)?”
Malignaggi was quick to respond.
“It will, because (most of) the crew interested in this fight think Tyson’s going to win. To people like that, Paul knocking out Tyson will mean something.”
The card does feature some meaningful bouts, including the women’s undisputed super-lightweight title defense by Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano, Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight title defense against Abel Ramos and unbeaten featherweight Bruce “ShuShu” Carrington.
When it was noted that Jake Paul was a six-year-old when Tyson lost his final fight, Malignaggi closed with a final bit of perspective.
“So Jake was six when Mike Tyson was shot,” Malignaggi said.
Read the full article here
