Boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson thinks the massive financial success of his fight with Jake Paul shows that the sport is in a poor spot.
Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson made his remarkable return to the ring at age 58 in late 2024, losing to Jake Paul by unanimous decision. Tyson’s fight came almost 20 years after he left the sport professionally, stemming from his retirement bout against Kevin McBride in 2005.
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Despite being years removed from the ring and being well into his 50s, Tyson’s fight with Paul was a massive financial success. The fight drew millions of viewers around the world and earned the heavyweight boxing legend an eight-figure payday.
But Tyson believes the success of the Paul fight is evidence that boxing’s current stars, including Canelo Alvarez and Shakur Stevenson, aren’t doing enough to help the sport’s brand.
Mike Tyson: Stars ‘don’t want to’ break boxing records and boost the sport
In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Tyson gave a brutal assessment of the state of boxing.
“This is what fighters should be thinking right now… ‘How could this guy be 60 years old and break all the records?’ They should be disappointed with themselves,” Tyson said.
“How could this old cat come in here and break all the records? They don’t want to do it…they fight once or twice a year, no one knows who they are. They need to have a story behind them. People looking up to them and following them.
“It’s not that they’re not getting paid too much. If you get paid for one fight, why not do it three times in a year? It’s a no-lose situation,” Tyson continued. “You’re fighting, getting in shape, getting paid. More money than you ever have before.”
He’s not entirely wrong…
That said, in boxing the HW division is everything and it dictates how well the lower weight divisions do regardless of the talent in either. HW boxing has been on a steep decline since the late-90’s when it became dominated by super-heavyweight giants. I don’t mean to denigrate the skill or talent of the champions since then, but most of them lack to agility and finesse of past fighters. They’re very good at what they do and just because of their size would probably beat many of the past greats, but comparatively they’re also pretty boring to watch.
HW boxing had a bit of attention and they couldn’t hold it.
Tune into Zuffa Boxing, Iron Mike.
Those fighters have that DAWG in them.
Max kellerman shares Tysons view on modern boxing but he thinks zuffa boxing can bring the spark back .
Usyk would have put a clinic on him.
Mike Tyson might not have had the best career but he was always exciting, even in loses.
so they’re stuck in the tim Sylvia era?
His fight was such a success because a ridiculous amount of people hate Jake Paul and wanted to see him knock Jakes head off.
And I can’t think of anyone who had anything positive to say about that fight.
Well the money isn’t there anymore is it?
Why wouldn’t the money be there anymore?