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Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Is a “Joke”: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Published 04/01/2024, 4:07 AM EDT

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The boxing world is buzzing. Yet, opinions vary wildly. Is the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight a groundbreaking event or a mere spectacle? Set for July 20, this match at AT&T Stadium will stream globally on Netflix. It promises fireworks, blending youth with legendary prowess.

But not everyone’s sold. Enter Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a voice descending from boxing royalty. He’s called the match a “joke.” But why? Can Tyson, at 58, knock out the influencer-turned-boxer Paul? Or is Paul’s foray into the ring against such a titan simply overreaching?

Will Jake Paul face his first real knockout?

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In a recent interview with Fighthype.com, the conversation swiftly zeroed in on the topic of Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s upcoming bout. The interviewer probed, “What do you think of Jake Paul and Mike Tyson?” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., never one to shy away from expressing his unfiltered opinions, responded candidly, labeling the fight as “It’s a joke, man.” He further elaborated, pointing out Paul’s trajectory of facing “booms” and now choosing to square off against an “old guy like Tyson.” Along with acknowledging Tyson’s formidable legacy, Chavez Jr. boldly claimed, “Mike Tyson in a real fight can still knockout Jake Paul.”

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The discussion then veered towards Jake Paul’s legitimacy as a boxer. When asked, “So do you think Jake Paul’s a real fighter?” Chavez Jr. offered a nuanced critique. “He’s trying hard,” he conceded, acknowledging Paul’s efforts in the boxing domain. However, he didn’t hesitate to highlight a pivotal flaw in Paul’s career.

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According to Chavez Jr., “the first real fighter that he fought, he lost. That’s the only real fight that he had.” alluding to Paul’s bout with Tommy Fury last year. This stark assessment underscores Chavez Jr.’s perspective on Paul’s boxing journey, indicating a blend of recognition for his attempts and skepticism toward his achievements. Moreover, Chavez Jr’s former rival, boxing maestro Canelo Alvarez has also weighed in on this matchup.

Canelo dismisses Paul vs. Tyson as mere spectacle

Reflecting a sentiment shared by boxing purists, Canelo Alvarez recently voiced his disinterest in the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. “Not at all,” Alvarez stated to TMZ, highlighting his perception of the bout as more entertainment than sport. “With Netflix being involved, yes, that’s good. But, not [interested] in that kind of fight. I think it’s more [of a] show than a fight,” he explained.

This perspective closely mirrors that of Bernard Hopkins, who previously expressed a preference for watching “two turtles run” over the Paul-Tyson matchup. Alvarez’s lack of interest underlines a broader skepticism within the boxing community, especially considering Paul’s prior callout of Alvarez after his victory against Ryan Bourland.

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As we edge closer to July 20, the debate intensifies: Is this match a genuine contest or merely entertainment masquerading as sport?

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra

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Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha