Conor McGregor has spoken out on Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s shock announcement that they will face off this summer.
The boxing world was stunned by the news after ‘Iron Mike’ opted to come out of retirement to fight YouTuber Paul, with an age gap of 30 years between them.
Veteran Tyson, 58, has not boxed since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr in November 2020 – while his last professional bout came in 2005 when he was beaten by Kevin McBride.
Paul, meanwhile, has quickly risen up the ranks in boxing by defeating a number of former MMA stars, including Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz – before being beaten by pro boxer Tommy Fury last year.
The influencer led some to believe he was pursuing traditional boxers after beating professionals Andre August and Ryan Bourland, but he has instead opted for another money-spinning fight against a legend of the sport that left fans and boxing experts scratching their heads.
Conor McGregor has given his thoughts on a ‘strange’ match-up between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson
Paul will fight boxing legend Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas later this year on Netflix
There has already been concern from the likes of Eddie Hearn, who called the fight ‘sad’ – and UFC star McGregor joined that chorus by calling the match-up ‘strange’ and insisted he had little interest in tuning in.
‘Oh jeez,’ the Irishman said when asked what he thought about the fight – via Happy Punch.
‘It’s a bit strange, you know. My interest is low. I don’t know. I don’t understand it.
‘I wish well for Mike [Tyson].’
The fight is being held at the 80,000-seater AT&T Stadium in Texas, which is the home of NFL team Dallas Cowboys, and it will be streamed live on Netflix.
Tyson said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul.
UFC fighter McGregor said his interest in the high-profile showdown was ‘low’
‘He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a “kid” can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.’
Paul added on Instagram: ‘It’s time to put Iron Mike to sleep.
‘It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
‘Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.
‘My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. This will be the fight of a lifetime.’
Hearn had voiced his opposition to the event and said it threatened to diminish Tyson’s legacy.
‘For me it’s really sad because Mike Tyson was one of my idols growing up, and to see him fighting at 57, 58… but I also understand that a lot of people are going to tune in and watch,’ Hearn told Mail Sport.
‘It’s an entertainment event, Netflix, great to see them involved in boxing. I think it will do really well. But it’s just not really one for me.’
‘I don’t think you should be fighting at 57 years old. But also the guy was one of the greatest ever fighters,’ Hearn continued.
‘Why do you want to go in at five per cent of what you were and lose to a guy like Jake Paul?
‘He shouldn’t have to do that, but the world is the world we live in.’