Eddie Hearn finds it ‘incredibly sad’ that Mike Tyson is fighting Jake Paul

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has given his brutally honest take on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul after the exhibition bout was announced for July 20, 2024.

It was announced on Thursday that YouTube personality Paul will face former world champion Tyson, who has not fought since drawing with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.

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.

After the news emerged, a number of high-profile names in the fight game reacted, including former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who said Paul should be "ashamed" of himself.

And ahead of Anthony Joshua's bout with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was asked about his thoughts on the exhibition match-up.

Speaking to YouTube channel Seconds Out, Hearn said: "You’re asking the wrong guy. I’m a hardcore boxing fan, he’s one of my heroes. I find it very sad, but it’s a big event.

"I understand people are going to watch it and it’s entertainment I guess but for someone that idolised the guy growing up, it’s not the best day."

Asked if Jake Paul would earn any credibility if he manages to beat Tyson, Hearn replied: "He’s 58 years old."

Hearn was also asked about the Tyson vs Paul fight in another interview. "I guess if you criticise it you’re a hater, aren’t you? So I’m probably not the best person to ask because I love the sport of boxing," he told iFL TV.

"I find it incredibly sad, but it’s a big event, you can’t deny that. But is he 60 yet, Mike Tyson? 58? Something like that? One of the greatest fighters that ever lived.

"But I’m one of a small per cent of absolute mad boxing lovers that it actually breaks my heart to see that."

Hearn added: "It is a big event on a new platform, big stadium, and there will be a lot of people watching it."

Hearn isn't the only one to have his reservations about the event in July.

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano called the news “absolutely disgusting”, while YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI added: "50+ years old. No one wanted this...So sad to see man..."

Tyson, meanwhile, is "very much looking forward" to stepping into the ring with Paul.

He added: "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.

"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.”

Thoughts on the exhibition bout between Tyson and Paul? Let us know.

Topics: Boxing, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, YouTube, Roy Jones Jr

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_