Lennox Lewis is backing Mike Tyson to beat Jake Paul (Image: Al Bello/Getty Images)
Lennox Lewis has his money on one clear winner for Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul – the former heavyweight champion.
According to boxing legend Lewis, Paul may not have the defensive prowess to handle Tyson, despite their 30-year age gap. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is set to face off against the iconic heavyweight in a highly anticipated match in Texas this July.
With a professional record of 9-1 after defeating Ryan Bourland in the first round in March, bookmakers are favoring Paul. Tyson hung up his professional boxing gloves in 2005 but made a comeback for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
However, Lewis, who defeated Tyson in 2002, believes that the veteran’s extensive experience and ring savvy will outshine Paul’s youthfulness. When asked about safety concerns, Lewis expressed his worries to The Guardian. He said: “I’m concerned for Jake Paul.
“Tyson still knows how to punch, as you can see when he’s hitting a bag. If Jake Paul gets hit by one of those punches, he’s going to feel it. I know Jake Paul doesn’t want to get hit. Tyson comes forward and he knows how to cut off the ring.
“It could be a matter of time, as how good is Jake Paul’s defence? I saw Mike a couple of weeks ago and he looked good. He was walking around without a shirt and showing off his body so he’s getting ready.”
Tyson and Paul will fight in July ( Image: Netflix)
He added: “I’m looking forward to it because you’ve got to look at these guys as entertainers. The public love them and want to see them in action.”
Lewis has a different perspective from Deontay Wilder, who expressed his concern that Tyson could end up in a coma due to Paul’s age. “I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years, so they should not just licence him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt, god forbid he gets hurt,” he told Sportsbook Review.
“People can get hit in the wrong place and at the wrong time, there’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. It’s easy to do. He’s too old for this.”
Wilder added: “I don’t think anyone cares about Mike because if they did they wouldn’t sanction the fight. They may say they’ve done tests and all that, OK, but as long as you’re willing to suffer the consequences if something bad goes wrong.
“His power may not have left completely but you still need to set it up, your stamina needs to be a certain way, or it’s going to look like a clown show.”
