Canelo Alvarez insists he has no interest in watching Jake Paul face Mike Tyson this summer after branding their exhibition ‘more show than fight’.
Paul, the YouTuber-turned-fighter carving out a career for himself in professional boxing, is set to take on former heavyweight champion Tyson in a controversial bout that is being screened live on Netflix on July 20.
It marks a sensational return to the ring for ‘Iron’ Mike, who will be 58 when climbing back through the ropes – although his showdown with the 27-year-old appears an exhibition given there will be no judges at ringside scoring it.
The pair will also be wearing 16-ounce gloves instead of the traditional 10-ounce used in pro fights.
And given the relaxed rules around it, Canelo has no plans to tune in for Paul vs Tyson.
Canelo Alvarez insists he has no plans to watch Jake Paul take on Mike Tyson this summer
Paul is set to take on heavyweight icon Tyson in a controversial bout live on Netflix on July 20
But four-weight world champion Canelo believes the contest is ‘more show than fight’
‘Not at all, not at all,’ the four-weight world champion told TMZ Sports when asked if he will watch the fight. ‘No, nothing.’
‘I think it’s more show than fight.’
Two-minute rounds will be in place when Paul steps into the ring with Tyson in Texas, instead of the usual three-minute rounds. The only way either man can win the fight is by knockout.
The majority of the rules – other than the glove weight – are the same as when Tyson took on Roy Jones Jr in a similar exhibition bout in November 2020.
The boxing legend locking horns with a fighter 30 years his junior has sparked outrage in the boxing and sporting community, with promoter Eddie Hearn recently declaring the bout ‘sad’ in an interview with Mail Sport.
‘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.’