10 March 2024 , 18:37
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UFC boss Dana White has hinted at his concern over the upcoming boxing clash between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson will meet Paul on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It will be the boxer's first fight since taking on Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition in November 2020.
YouTuber Paul fought on that card in the second bout of his career and has since forged a 9-1 record in his professional career and last defeated Ryan Bourland via a first round knockout in March. Tyson has not fought professionally since 2005 when he quit on his stool after five rounds of his clash with Kevin McBride.
White highlighted the age difference between the fighters as a cause for concern heading into the fight. The MMA promoter appeared cautious of upsetting his friend.
Following UFC 299, he said: "He [Tyson] gets mad when I do this but Mike's 60. What do you guys think about it? Who gives a s**t what I think? It's not my fight.
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"I love Mike Tyson, personally as a friend and he's one of my favourite athletes of all time and let's see what he can go in there and put together in training camp and come in. I don't like to see guys fighting - a 31-year age difference, you guys know what I think of that stuff."
The boxing card will be broadcast by Netflix in the summer as the streaming service makes it's move into live sports. White believes that they have been slow to enter the market but that it is a significant moment.
Jake Paul could be set to go several rounds with Mike Tyson (AFP via Getty Images)He said: "I think Netflix should have got into live sports years ago. They're late to the game but they are a force and when you look at the amount of homes they are in worldwide... you heard me talk about the show Reacher. I can watch Reacher when I get home, I can watch it next week. Live sports like this event, you have to watch tonight. As all of these streaming companies get bigger and bigger, they have to be involved in live sport."
"For sure I'll be talking to everybody," he added when asked if he would speak to the platform about hosting UFC content in the future.
While, White has doubts over the fight in the summer, Tyson sees the match-up as full-circle moment. The 57-year-old is excited for his return.
He said: "I'm very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul. 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."