Former world champion Bernard Hopkins says he would be more excited by watching “two turtles race” than he would the upcoming fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
Hopkins, who held multiple world titles in two weight classes, says someone of Mike Tyson’s stature should not resort to fighting a YouTuber-turned-boxer such as Paul.
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The fight, scheduled for July 20 in Arlington, Texas, has already caused plenty of controversy with Tyson, who will be 58 come fight night, significantly older than his 27-year-old opponent.
Hopkins told Fight Hub TV: “I don’t like it. I don’t like it.
“I look at Mike, I look at him different in a way of my era, like people looked at [Muhammad] Ali. I looked at Ali different, too. Marvin Hagler, ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson.
“I don’t like it. I think it’s becoming more of a side show with some sweat and maybe some blood, if we’re lucky. I won’t watch it. I could watch two turtles race and be more excited.”
Fire’s in the house#PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/zAXIUNyxEU
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 16, 2024
Hopkins believes Tyson risks tarnishing his legacy by stepping into the ring with someone like Paul.
He added: “It’s because of how I look at Mike Tyson.
“I’ve shared not only the ring with Mike Tyson a few times, but the era, a little tip of the era. I just think it degrades him. You’re getting 100 million, 200 million. Please, okay.”
