While Tyron Woodley praised Jake Paul for landing a fight against boxing legend Mike Tyson, he was equally skeptical about his choice of opponent.
On Thursday, it was announced that Paul, 27, will fight the 57-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium on July 20. The event will stream on Netflix, which released a 19-second trailer featuring the headliners to parade the announcement.
Hours later, the former UFC welterweight champion shared his reaction and initial impression about the upcoming fight.
‘I was like ‘well f**k, I guess it’s happening,” Woodley told Mail Sport.
‘He’s definitely got some screws loose,’ he said of Paul. ‘Like he’s smart as hell but dumb as f**k.’
Tyron Woodley praised Jake Paul for booking a fight against legendary boxer Mike Tyson
On Thursday, it was announced that Paul will face Tyson at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium in July
Paul holds a 9-1 record and is coming off three straight wins, two of which were knockouts
Woodley met Paul in the boxing ring twice in 2021. Despite suffering back-to-back losses to the influencer-turned-boxer – the second coming in a knockout – Woodley praised Paul’s marketing ability.
Aside from booking a fight with one of the sport’s icons, Woodley gave Paul credit for reaching a deal to stream it on Netflix.
‘When he started boxing, he went from Triller to his own promotion (Most Valuable Promotions) and DAZN, and now Netflix,’ Woodley said.
‘When I fought him, it was an opportunity for me. I feel like people want him to lose without knowing. I may not be on his team, but I’m not a hater. He’s getting his blessing and this is big for combat sports. People will be watching’
When asked who he thinks will come out victorious, Woodley pointed towards Tyson. However, with age potentially being a factor, he did so with an air of caution.
‘My gut tells me Mike Tyson,’ Woodley shared. ‘We have seen him hit the mits and saw him against Roy Jones Jr. Nobody, even at 57, wants to fight him.
Woodley held the UFC welterweight title from 2016 to 2019 after dethroning Robbie Lawler
Paul and Woodley squared off in the boxing ring twice in 2021, with Paul winning both bouts
Tyson held a 50-6 professional record with 44 knockouts before retiring from boxing in 2005
‘But anybody can lose. Jake can not go there and f**k around because this will go in his record.’
The Problem Child currently holds a 9-1 boxing record and is coming off three straight wins, the last two being finishes. Paul will head into the bout fresh from a first-round knockout over Ryan Bourland on March 2.
On the other hand, the much older Tyson held a 50-6 professional record with 44 knockouts before retiring in 2005. Iron Mike returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr., during which Paul knocked former NBA star Nate Robinson in the co-main event.
‘I’m a spectator like everybody,’ Woodley added. ‘Let’s just enjoy it.’