Jake Paul's team fire shots at Eddie Hearn after he labelled Mike Tyson fight a 'freakshow'

09/09/2024 10:02

Jake Paul’s team have returned fire at Eddie Hearn after his recent comments about the upcoming Mike Tyson clash.

Paul and Tyson are set to square off in a controversial professional heavyweight contest on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Several members of the boxing fraternity have bashed the fight due to the staggering 31-year age gap between the pair, with Tyson recently celebrating his 58th birthday while Paul is in his physical prime at 27.

One of the most vocal critics is Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn, who recently branded the fight a ‘freakshow’.

Hearn’s comments got back to Paul’s manager and MVP co-founder, Nakisa Bidarian, who fired back by accusing the British promoter of hypocrisy.

“Keep getting sent these articles on Eddie Hearn taking shots at Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson,” he said in an Instagram post.

“How, if you’re involved you have no empathy for the sport, how he’d never be involved in a million years.

“Eddie, you’re involved, man. Involved in a big way. Katie Taylor, your most celebrated fighter, is the co-main event and it’s her biggest payday as you know.

“It’s funny. I remember when Francis Ngannou was fighting Tyson Fury, you were out there saying, ‘This is a circus. This is a clown show. This shouldn’t be happening.’

“But as soon as the opportunity came for you to be involved with Anthony Joshua versus Francis Ngannou, you were running so fast to sign that contract and make a talk about, ‘Oh, this is a real fight. Oh, it’s such a big deal.'”

The video made its way onto Twitter, where Paul’s former trainer BJ Flores timed in: “He’s 100% correct. Everybody switches up.”

Hearn then responded: “There's a bit of a big difference. Francis was an active UFC fighter who basically beat (IMO) Tyson Fury. That win gave him all the credibility he needed. Mike is in his 50s and 20 years ago he was shot as a fighter.”

Flores replied: “Eddie I LOVE how you fight for your guys. You are 100 per cent a top-level business brain/boxing man.

“But let’s all admit that Jake Paul has done massive amounts for getting more eyeballs on the sport of boxing. Only 27 years old. Jake moves the needle. Congrats to Katie and Amanda.”

Hearn is under no illusion of Tyson’s pulling power but morally disagrees with the fight.

He wrote: “Absolutely but from someone who idolised Mike Tyson and knows he should NEVER be in the ring again, I find it very sad.”

Flores added: “100 per cent understood. Mike wouldn't of been my top choice. But he is an absolute legend and a grown man that makes his own decisions. In addition, I think it will be more competitive than people think.”

Concluding the back and forth, Hearn tweeted: “He's in his 50s and when he last fought professionally 20 years ago it was sad to watch.

“I don't believe he is healthy enough to fight and if it's gonna be competitive then that says it all.

“As for a grown man making his own decisions you know it's up to the people around fighters to make the right decision and you know he shouldn't be fighting. You are a boxing man BJ! Anyway, god bless my friend.”

Tyson and Paul were initially slated to box on July 20 but the fight was postponed by four months after ‘Iron Mike’ was medically unfit to compete this summer following an ulcer flare-up on a flight to Los Angeles.

Multiple medical professionals have attempted to warn Tyson off taking the bout but at the time of writing it is still going ahead.