Retired former two-division Bernard Hopkins disapproves of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson exhibition, saying that it “degrades” Iron Mike in their headliner on July 20th on Netflix at At&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
It’s a match that has created mixed emotions among fans; some are disgusted by the idea of 27-year-old YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul exploiting the legend of former unified heavyweight champion Mike Tyson for monetary gain.
Exploiting Legends for Cash
Fans feel that Jake should be fighting relevant cruiserweight contenders rather than continuing to pick retired older legends like 58-year-old Mike Tyson, 48-year-old Anderson Silva, 41-year-old Tyrone Woodley, 38-year-old Nate Diaz, and 39-year-old Ben Askren.
There’s no question that Jake is hustling fights against older fighters to make coin, taking advantage of his 26 million followers on Instagram to peddle his circle matches. Jake should be fighting cruiserweight his age, but why bother when his social media followers will loyally purchase his circus fights?
Hopkins Keeps it Real
“I don’t like it. I look at Mike different in a way of my era like how people looked at [Muhammad] Ali,” said Bernard Hopkins to Fight Hub TV, giving his thoughts on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight on July 20th on Netflix.
“I looked at Ali different, too, and Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson. I don’t like it. I think it’s become more of a sideshow with maybe some sweat, maybe some blood if we’re lucky. I won’t watch it. Nah,” Hopkins continued about the Paul vs. Tyson fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Hopkins perfectly sums up the whole vibe of the Paul vs. Tyson fight, labeling it a “sideshow.” With the money that Jake is getting for the fight, he won’t be too bothered by the negative backlash he’s getting from fans. It’s pathetic that Jake is dragging out an old legend like Tyson.
“I can watch two turtles racing, and it would be more exciting. It’s how I look at Mike Tyson, and I shared not only the ring with Mike Tyson a few times, but the era, a little tip of the era.
“I just think it degrades him [Tyson], and you got someone to cover up like you get $100 million or $200 million. Please, okay. So, you’re asking me when a fighter gets that itch what do you do? You take a shower,” said Hopkins.
