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via Imago

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50 wins out of which 44 were via KOs: Such is the legacy of Mike Tyson. But fans are worried his legacy will get tainted because of Jake Paul. The YouTuber-turned-boxer’s Most Valuable Promotions released footage of a young Tyson’s best knockout moment on its X handle. And while combat fans love to see a good KO, they were not pleased by this move.

The post read, “Mike Tyson’s Greatest Knockouts (Part 1). June 27, 1988: Mike Tyson (34-0, 30 KO) defeats Michael Spinks (31-0, 21 KO) by way of knockout to become the Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion “Once and For All.” Just below, details of the upcoming fight were provided.

The half-minute-long footage of the 1988 title fight begins with Tyson lunging at Michael Spinks. Soon, a barrage of punches from the former saw Spinks kneeling down in agony. He got up and resumed, only to go down after a left-right combination from Tyson saw him hitting the canvas, this time for good. The fight got over with roughly one-and-a-half minutes left in the opening round.

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However, as most fans voiced, it is not the same boxer, then called the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, who will enter the ring against Jake Paul. It’s been over three years since he fought the last time against legend Roy Jones Jr. for an eight-round exhibition bout. Jake Paul, on the other hand, has been quite active, with three participations last year. Since his professional debut, the YouTuber-turned-boxer has fought ten times.

Is Mike Tyson trading a happy past for an upsetting present? Fans Ask

Many fans criticized the promotions team for latching on to the past to get a contemporary bid passed. To prove their point, a few even pointed to the number of likes the post has received thus far. A user felt the promotion shouldn’t exploit the fame and reputation of a living legend like Mike Tyson.

Additionally, the age difference between Tyson and Paul has also been a point of contention. ‘Iron’ is currently 57 while Paul is 27. That’s a 30-year age gap!

Some X users were upset about the fact that Mike Tyson would be risking his health. As reported by ‘Marca’, Stephen Hughes, a senior lecturer in medicine, had shared how Mike Tyson’s decision could be dangerous. If things go wrong, the older boxer could face issues like subdural hematoma- a condition where veins in the brain rupture. This can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, or even death.

Read More: Fighting Mike Tyson Puts Jake Paul in Unforeseen Troubles as YouTuber Receives Tricky Offer From Ex-UFC Star

What makes it even more dangerous is Tyson’s history of alcohol abuse. It increases the likelihood of such risks. Additionally, Hughes also warned against heart issues because Tyson is much older and making a comeback after years.

Even boxing legend Carl Froch previously commented about the fight and had concerns. “I stumbled across the news that Jake Paul is fighting the legend the icon Mike Tyson… I just thought this cannot be happening; you can’t be putting a mid 20 a guy in his mid 20s in against a guy that’s approaching 60 years old.

It might have been an innocuous attempt on MVP’s part to promote the July fight by sharing the footage of a momentous bout from the past. However, as it appears, the endeavor seems to have missed the mark.

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More on the old fight. The hitherto unbeaten Michael Spinks suffered his first and final professional career loss to ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. At the time, it was the highest-grossing fight in boxing history, with Tyson taking home nearly $22 million.

However, it still remains an open question. As some of the followers asked, what purpose does airing a historical fight serve? Anyway, it would be a 58-year-old man, a far cry from his prime self, going against a much younger Jake Paul. But then there are also supporters who believe the fight would be a delight to watch. After all, it entails a clash of two different eras.

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‘The Problem Child’ will meet the former heavyweight champion on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Do you agree with what most of the fans expressed in the comments box? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Also Read: “This Is His Style”: Mike Tyson’s Trainer Address Fans’ Concerns About His Well-Being for Jake Paul Fight