Mike Tyson issues response to Eddie Hearn’s claim that his fight with Jake Paul is ‘disrespectful to boxing’

Mike Tyson has responded to criticism of his upcoming fight with Jake Paul from British promoter Eddie Hearn.

Tyson, 58, is due to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – who is 31 years his junior – on November 15 in Texas, and Hearn has made no secret of his opposition to the contest.

Hearn will be part of the event to promote Katie Taylor’s rematch with Amanda Serrano on the undercard, but has insisted he will leave the arena before Tyson and Paul enter the ring due to the fight being ‘dangerous, irresponsible and disrespectful to boxing’.

Former heavyweight champion Tyson was asked for his thoughts on Hearn’s comments, and replied: ‘Well, that’s Eddie’s opinion and that’s all I can say.’

Hearn is not alone in being concerned for Tyson’s safety ahead of next month’s fight, which is due to be shown live on Netflix.

Hearn has branded the upcoming fight between Tyson and Paul ‘disrespectful to boxing’ 

Tyson will take on Paul – who is 31 years younger than him – in Texas next month

Fans are also worried after Tyson revealed he would rather ‘die in the ring’ than in hospital.

In a promotional video on Netflix, Tyson said: ‘I don’t do anything if I don’t risk being embarrassed,’ Tyson says.

‘Like now I want to fight this young motherf*****

‘This is really big for me, if I win I will be immortal.

‘If I do it bad, I don’t want to die in a hospital bed, I want to die in the ring.’

Tyson and Paul were originally scheduled to fight in July, but the bout was postponed after Tyson suffered a medical emergency on a plane. 

He required medical attention due to an ‘ulcer flare-up’ and the fight with Paul was pushed back.

But it is now just over two weeks away from finally taking place. Almost two decades on from his last professional fight, Tyson will go toe-to-toe with Paul in a sanctioned bout across eight two-minute rounds.