Mike Tyson and Jake Paul faced a barrage from a UFC legend during a recent press conference to promote a November 15 encounter.
Michael Bisping, a UFC fighter turned analyst, is unhappy that Paul dragged Tyson out of his retirement at 58. The ESPN-signed commentator told Paul exactly how he felt as the YouTuber went face-to-face with a wrinkled Tyson at a media event.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping said, “Let’s see what this press conference delivers. We know the fight is a joke, to be honest, but let’s see what the press conference delivers. See if it can get us any more excited for this absolute s*** show. This farce of a fight. I’m not very convinced it will.”
As Paul attempted to talk up the fight as a massive test for him, Bisping added, “Jake, I hate to point out the obvious, but that makes you look pathetic. You just admitted that you’re going up against an old man, who is a legend, of course, but he’s not that guy anymore.
“Jake Paul, he’s a total tool bag. I’m not going to lower myself and swear. Look at him. It’s nice to see that he’s finally getting booed and the kind of response that he deserves.”
Michael Bisping on Mike Tyson
On Tyson having to face a 27-year-old at his age, Bisping wasn’t happy that the one-time ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ was being used for his name in this way.
“The man’s almost 60. He’s almost a pensioner [UK pension retirement age is 66],” Briton Bisping pointed out.
“Mike Tyson was a terrifying individual. To go up against that man, in his prime, Jesus Christ, he was one of the scariest individuals that we’ve ever seen throughout any combat sport. The man was a straight killer. Was – again, is the key word.”
No matter what Bisping or any detractors seem to say, this fight is on until something comes along that can put the brakes on it again. The last time was Tyson suffering from a stomach ulcer, which the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will check when they test both fighters pre-fight to confirm their licensing.
Tyson has to pass those tests to get the TDLR‘s blessing for a professional contest. If he fails, it’s hard to see Paul going ahead with an exhibition if Tyson is deemed unfit to compete.
Stomach ulcers usually take a couple of months to heal, but whether Mike Tyson’s ulcer is entirely gone is yet to be discussed in a public forum. Tyson says he’s ready to fight and is no longer sick. Furthermore, whether that’s good enough to pass for a Texas license remains to be seen.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
