Conor McGregor is the latest high-profile name to give his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul – and it's fair to say he isn't impressed.
It was announced on Thursday that Tyson will go toe-to-toe with YouTube personality Paul, who extended his professional record to 9-1 with a first-round victory over Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico on March 2.
The event will be streamed exclusively on Netflix on Saturday, July 20, 2024 from the 80,000-seat capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
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“I'm very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul," said Tyson when the announcement was made.
“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."
Tyson added: "It's a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
The reaction since the news was announced has been mixed. UFC legend Michael Bisping said Paul should be "ashamed of himself" for agreeing to fight Tyson, who will be 58 when the fight happens.
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Dillon Danis agreed, saying: "You’re fighting someone who was born in 1966. Have some shame."
But what does Conor McGregor think of the exhibition bout? Speaking at the world premiere of Road House – a film he features in – the Irishman made his feelings clear.
"Oh jeez,” McGregor said when asked for his thoughts on the match-up between Paul and Tyson. “It's a bit strange, you know. The interest is low. I don't know. I don't understand it."
McGregor added: “I wish well for Mike [Tyson]."
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McGregor, meanwhile, has been called out by a recent opponent of Jake Paul.
After beating the YouTube personality by split decision in February last year, Tommy Fury wants to fight the former UFC lightweight champion McGregor in a boxing match.
Speaking to DAZN, Fury said: "I'm looking to get this injury out the way nice and recovered and I have just seen that Jake Paul will face Mike Tyson next. So how about me and McGregor next, how's that?
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"I need a comeback fight and I'd like that for my return. So McGregor, get in touch."
Mike Tyson has previously expressed his confidence over beating both Jake and Logan Paul.
Back in 2022, he said he would wipe the floor with the brothers.
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“[Jake’s] punches you can see coming a mile away, you can see that coming a mile away. I’m 55, I can see that coming a mile away," Tyson said.
“I would beat these f***ers [Jake and Logan Paul]. I’d go straight at them, there would be no boxing. The only thing I got to do is be in shape. 30 days of boxing training every day and I can fight anyone.
"If I’m boxing every day I wouldn’t even have to worry about diet.”
Topics: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing, UFC, Conor McGregor
Jack Kenmare