UFC star Daniel Cormier believes Mike Tyson ‘doesn’t need the money’ as the boxing icon prepares to come out of retirement to face Jake Paul later in the year.
The two Americans will do battle on November 15, having originally intended to lock horns on July 20.
Tyson is 58 and there has been plenty of controversy about the former heavyweight going up against a man 31 years his junior.
Cormier, speaking with Ben Askren, believes the boxing legend ‘doesn’t need the money’ as he prepares to return to the sport.
Mike Tyson ‘doesn’t need the money’ as the boxing icon prepares to battle Jake Paul later this year
GETTY
But he’s also warned Paul that the fight is a ‘lose-lose’, too.
Cormier feels the 27-year-old’s stock will plummet if he loses to Tyson – and also reckons he won’t win plaudits by knocking out a man twice his age.
The former UFC star said: “I do agree when he’s hitting pads… it looks like there’s something left in there [Tyson].
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I watch Jake Paul get pressed to where he starts to feel uncomfortable, and it looked like Mike Perry had a chance.
JUST IN: Jermaine Jenas update as U-turn on lifeline ‘could be made’ following BBC sacking
“But then Jake has a reserve tank to go to and get, and draw from because he’s 28 years old…
“That is my concern. Because what if this looks like a 58-year-old man, fighting a 28-year-old man, where Mike can’t draw?
“I think it’s a lose-lose for Jake Paul because if you beat up Mike Tyson, everybody loves Mike Tyson… Mike Tyson actually doesn’t need the money, so it’s surprising to me that he’s fighting.
“What if Mike knocks him out though? Then it’s over. Everything’s done.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu ‘facing sponsorship crisis’ as details emerge after nightmare US Open exit
“It would be an all-time backfire. Nothing’s ever been done like that in the history of the sport if he gets knocked out.”
Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up earlier in the year that forced his fight with Paul to be rescheduled.
He’s since insisted he is ‘feeling great’ and has enough in his locker to get the better of his rival, who has won 10 of his 11 fights so far.
Paul, speaking earlier in the week, said his mother had seen footage of Tyson hitting the pads.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
David Cormier feels Jake Paul is taking a ‘lose-lose’ fight as the 27-year-old gears up for Mike Tyson bout
GETTY
The 27-year-old says she is concerned for him as he prepares to go up against one of the biggest names in boxing.
But Paul isn’t letting her concerns get to him as he looks to consign Tyson to defeat.
“They will definitely be there,” he said when asked if his mother and girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, would be present for the fight.
“But my mum is very scared actually.
Mike Tyson is hoping to beat Jake Paul with the duo set to battle it out on November 15
GETTY
“She keeps on asking me if I’m ready, asking my team if I’m if I’m ready and she’s not liking this one.
“Mike just looks scary and big… his Instagram videos look crazy.
“So she’s like watching all of that and just not liking it.”
Post comments (0)