Mike Tyson watched Jake Paul spar for 30 seconds before leaving the gym.
Heavyweight legend Tyson has long been linked with a fight with YouTube star Paul, with both men teasing the bout of the last few years. But Tyson now looks to be finally retired following his comeback exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, while Paul is pursuing his own ambitions in the gym.
And Tyson, who remains the youngest heavyweight world champion in history, appeared to show little interest when he watched Paul train at Freddie Roach's famous Wild Card gym in Los Angeles. "Tyson looked at him and left," Roach told FightHype.
"He saw 30 seconds of him sparring and said, 'Freddie, can we go down and see the pictures?'. He knows that's where the good pictures are. He wasn't as interested as I was." Asked how he rated Paul, Roach added: "The kid's OK, a club fighter... I don't know him personally and I've never really met him. He was in my gym and wondered if they could use the ring and I said go ahead."
Paul is currently preparing for his fight with Anderson Silva next month in what represents a step up in competition for the social media star. Paul has so far fought fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson and MMA standouts Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in his fledgling career.
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UFC legend Silva has a record of 3-1 as a professional boxer and boasts a win over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. "Anderson Silva is the most versatile fighter the world has ever seen," said Paul.
"Just a year ago he outclassed boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, and showed the world why he is often referred to as the greatest fighter of all time. Every expert, from MMA to boxing, has said Jake Paul won’t fight Anderson Silva.
"They said Jake Paul is afraid of Anderson Silva, and Jake Paul would lose to Anderson Silva. Well, to all the non-believers – Jake Paul is fighting Anderson Silva. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to share the ring with the greatest UFC striker of all time."
