The newly announced Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight has been condemned by many on the outside, but has been praised within the sport.
The legendary and controversial Tyson, who will be 58 years old at the time of the fight, has agreed to an exhibition match with polarizing YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, 27, on July 20 at AT&T Stadium. , will be distributed exclusively. On Netflix.
The incident was quickly criticized by fans, given Tyson’s age and Paul’s constant insistence that he want to be taken seriously as a real professional boxer.
But how do voices in the boxing world view this fight?
“It’s not a joke at all,” Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions and one of the most influential promoters in the sport, told the Post hours after the fight was announced. “One thing about me is that I always give credit where credit is due. It’s a power move. That’s what I can do. It’s a powerful move and everything that brings this together. Hats off to the people. I know Jake took the lead, but congratulations to Mike Tyson.
“It’s a power move, because what Jake Paul is doing is not thinking today. This is for the underworld. He’s putting it out in front of the world. That’s what I would do. . He’s thinking outside the box, and I respect that, because that’s all day for me. It’s definitely a power move.”
Mr. Ellerbe was instrumental in Floyd Mayweather’s iconic boxing career and has since gone on to promote Gervonta Davis, one of boxing’s biggest superstars and rising stars.
Also in Ellerbe’s stable is WBA super lightweight champion Rolando Romero, who is certainly a polarizing fighter.
And he feels the same way.
“This is going to bring so many viewers to the sport,” Romero told the Post. “Yeah, we’re going to have everybody paid. Obviously, we’re a little concerned about Tyson’s age and stuff, but as far as I’ve noticed, Tyson takes care of himself. He’s… He played with Roy Jones Jr. [in a 2020 exhibition bout]. It’s Mike Tyson after all. The last thing you lose is your power.i saw my father [a former professional boxer in Cuba] Knock people out at the same age. Let’s take a look.
“It brings a lot of viewers to the sport. As long as they bring viewers into the sport, that’s a good thing.”
