Paul says Tyson was second choice after first opponent 'wanted more money'
Jake Paul has admitted that he was hoping for a rematch against Tommy Fury before signing up to face off against legendary boxer Mike Tyson this summer.
The YouTuber-turned-fighter is set for arguably the most significant bout of his career in the the ring so far against 'Iron Mike' at AT&T Stadium in Texas in July. The glamour exhibition contest will see the 27-year-old pit his wits against the former unified heavyweight world champion - who his three decades his senior.
As the former Disney child star and internet sensation prepares for the bout, his brother Logan Paul made some intriguing claims about the fight. For one, the WWE star even claimed that he had previously turned down a fight with Tyson as he spoke with influencer KSI on the 'Impaulsive' podcast.
In the case of the latter, the Brit had been critical of the upcoming fight on the grounds of the 30-year age gap between the two competitors. Now, explaining his sibling's motivations, Logan alleged: "For both Mike and Jake, the bag. Like at one point, you can't, I don't know if you can say no. I said no to fighting Mike Tyson.
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"I was offered, yeah I was offered it, but not on Netflix and not for a big ass bag. It was just like an, 'Oh, this could be a real fight.' Because I've been asked before, I'm sure you have too, 'Do you think you could beat Mike Tyson? And my answer was and will be, 'Yes.' I just think he's too old, bro. He's senile."
However, it appears that this comment has not gone down well with his younger brother, who has now purported that the wrestler was wrong with some of his claims. In fact, Jake was quick to rubbish suggestions that a fight with Tyson had been offered to his brother, while speaking on a stream with Adin Ross.
"Yeah, which is also not true. We're the ones that brought the deal to Mike Tyson," he clarified. "So I don't know why he would say that. Me and Most Valuable Promotions and my partner Nakisa struck a deal with Netflix and then went to other fighters to get them involved."
Mike Tyson will take on Jake Paul in Texas this summer in a glamour exhibition bout (Netflix)Interestingly, the younger Paul brother also then gave his account of how the Tyson fight was first arranged - revealing that Tommy Fury was his first choice for his next bout. As it stands, the sibling of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is the only fighter to have beaten the American in his fledgling professional career.
"It started with Tommy Fury, he wanted more money and there wasn't more money, he continued. "Then we went to Mike Tyson and after like months of talking, got him to be down to fight. And so Mike Tyson wasn't offering people deals. So I don't know what he's talking about."
Previous to this, Paul spoke with pride as the fight with boxing icon Tyson was announced for July as he appeared overjoyed at the prospect of facing one of his heroes. He said: "It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
"Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion ever, the baddest man on the planet."
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