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Mike Tyson, the boxing legend known as 'Iron Mike' expresses appreciation for YouTube boxers like Jake Paul, who has a massive number of followers, for helping the boxing industry.
YouTubers reached another milestone with the success of the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva boxing match on October 29. While others denounced YouTube's involvement, boxing legend and former champion Mike Tyson expressed appreciation for the YouTubers' efforts in bringing attention to the combat sport.
Boxing exhibitions have entered a new chapter as more YouTubers become involved in the sport. Floyd Mayweather, Anderson Silva, and now Manny Pacquiao have teamed up with YouTubers to promote boxing.
Mike Tyson: Jake Paul Deserves Credit
Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time, says Jake Paul and other YouTube boxers are helping revitalize the sport. Tyson remarked that his "ego says so many things" but he acknowledged that the YouTubers "help boxing so much" by revitalizing the sport nowadays, as reported by Essentially Sports.
"UFC kicked boxing's butt, and now we have YouTube boxers. Twenty-five million people watch boxing. YouTube boxers are reviving boxing," said the legend known as "Iron Mike."
Mike Tyson claims the UFC now outranks boxing in terms of popularity. However, the popularity of boxing has been on the rise again when YouTubers began participating in the sport. Since the two fought on the same pay-per-view show in 2020, Tyson has defended Paul multiple times, notably during a June Jimmy Kimmel Live interview.
During the conversation, Tyson underlined that Jake Paul has been excellent in boxing and deserves appreciation.
"He's beating people he shouldn't, so give him credit," he noted, as per a report from Bleacher Report. Tyson said in the interview that Paul has been "doing so much good for boxing," considering his 70 million followers who support his fights.
"Champions of the world don't have that many people following them. So what he's doing for boxing is just sensational, no one should be hating on that," he said.
Paul and Tyson have even discussed fighting one another in the past. Former professional boxer and current boxing coach Freddie Roach, though, seems to think a fight between the two will never materialize. Roach claimed in September that Mike Tyson walked out on one of Jake Paul's sparring sessions after observing him for 30 seconds.
Ric Flair Warns Jake Paul: Do Not Challenge 'Iron Mike'
Meanwhile, as reported by The US Sun, Ric Flair, a legendary wrestler, has cautioned the 6-0 YouTube star against fighting Mike Tyson.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, 73, wrestled his final match in July with Andrade El idolo against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. In his podcast 'To Be The Man,' Flair discussed the brothers' young careers, citing his half-century of experience in the game.
The 16-time pro-wrestling champion recently confirmed he talked to Jake Paul and his brother Logan via FaceTime to talk about their respective professions, demonstrating his interest in staying in touch with the company's rising stars.
Flair, though, has cautioned the "Problem Child" against challenging the 55-year-old Tyson, who was known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet" in a boxing match. Ric Flair said: "My only advice to Jake Paul would be, don't call out Mike Tyson.
The wrestling icon emphasized that he both know Anderson Silva and Mike Tyson, hence, the YouTube star wouldn't want to mess with the latter.
"That might be more than he can chew," Flair remarked, per the report. Mike Tyson has compiled a career record of 50-6, with 44 victories coming through knockout.
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