Boxing legend Tyson versus influencer Paul, what do boxing champions think of the fight?

• Thomas Markhorst

  editor NOS Sport

Tonight it will finally happen: the long-awaited boxing match between boxing legend Mike Tyson (58) and influencer Jake Paul (27). The fight will be broadcast live by Netflix and may become the most watched boxing match ever.

Tyson is a former world heavyweight champion and considered one of the best boxers of all time. He is competing against an influencer made famous by YouTube, who has only been boxing for six years.

Opinions about the fight vary. Is it sports or entertainment? How seriously should this event be taken and what is its impact on the sport of boxing? In any case, there will be a lot of money to be made from the fight in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul would earn about $40 million, Tyson about half.

The NOS posed three questions to a panel of champions from the martial arts world. They all indicate that they sit in front of a screen in the middle of the night to watch. What do they expect??

Poeder: “Very serious. Paul is young and I think he is strong. I have seen good matches from him with big knockouts. Tyson may be a bit older, but still a real hard-hitter. It won’t be a fair, this will be a serious competition. I assume someone will be knocked out.”

Beztati: “I don’t know, in America things are sometimes staged, so in that sense you don’t know to what extent this will be a real fight. But you know, I’d rather not see this fight happen anyway. I think “It’s a shame that Tyson, such a legend who has achieved everything in the sport, is putting his reputation on the line.”

Vanderleyde: “To be honest, I didn’t take it that seriously at first. A YouTuber who challenges such a legend… But they both take it very seriously. Tyson is fit and I must also say that Paul is really making progress. I watch it I’m really looking forward to it now, but with the hope that Tyson will land a few good punches and win.”

Heijnen: “You have to take every boxing match seriously: standing in the ring is not just something. They will fight on the edge, because otherwise you cannot box. But this is of course a show match that revolves around publicity. In the end, it’s not about who wins.”

Poeder: “I don’t think this means anything for the sport of boxing. The only thing I can imagine is that boxers might think: why don’t I get this chance? Now Paul is going to box for millions against Tyson, because he is an influencer.”

Beztati: “The ‘real’ boxers would never want to fight Tyson, they have too much respect for him. As an active athlete, I am not actually concerned with this match. Is this a show fight? One hundred percent. Everyone wants to see Tyson , especially people my age who have never actually seen him fight.”

Heijnen: “I have never seen Tyson boxing before, I think it is very impressive that he is still entering that ring at his age. And you will get a new audience at this match, I think, for example people who know Jutta Leerdam (the skater is Paul’s partner, ed.) This can be positive for the young people.”

Vanderleyde: “This is very positive, the sport of boxing is now getting all the attention. Many people who have never had to deal with the sport of boxing are now coming into contact with it. Paul has millions of followers. But I do hope that the sport of boxing will prevail and Tyson can take the win.”

Heijnen: “Tyson knows all the tricks of boxing. It’s like riding a bike: you don’t forget that. I would love it if Paul wins, because he has not faced really serious boxers yet. I think most people are in favor of Tyson will go.”

Beztati: “It’s difficult to say. On paper, Paul doesn’t stand a chance and Tyson would take him. But we don’t know what kind of shape Tyson is still in at this age. And I have to be honest: Paul is a very hard worker and he really has a passion for the sport of boxing. You have to give him that.”

Powder: “I’m in favor of Tyson anyway. Sure, he’s a bit older, but he has so much experience. You can’t just leave that behind.”

Vanderleyde: “The fact that they have adjusted the competition rules and boxing shorter rounds is to Tyson’s advantage. But I cannot estimate it properly: on the videos he seems very fast and explosive, but some of those videos have also been accelerated. I hope he puts Paul down to earth.”