John Fury expresses bewilderment at Mike Tyson’s decision to step into the ring with Jake Paul. At 58 years old, Tyson’s announcement of a showdown with the YouTube sensation on July 20 has sparked widespread criticism, including from Fury himself. Despite Fury’s repeated attempts to lure Tyson into a fight, including in person during his son Tommy Fury’s encounter with Paul last year, no match has materialized, leaving Fury puzzled by Tyson’s choice.
Fury, who is the same age as Tyson, expressed his disbelief, stating, “What the hell is wrong with him?” Even Turki, whom Fury refers to as “His Excellency,” expressed astonishment at Tyson’s decision not to fight Fury. Despite his disappointment, Fury maintains his willingness to fight anyone, emphasizing the importance of being compensated appropriately for the risk involved in boxing. He reiterates his desire to face Tyson, labeling it as “the right fight.”
While Tyson has not ruled out an exhibition match, he has shown emotion upon learning about Tyson Fury’s story during their meeting. Given their similar ages, a match between Tyson and Fury Sr. would be more evenly matched compared to Tyson’s bout with Jake Paul. Fury Sr. has a professional record of eight wins, four defeats, and one draw, with his last fight dating back to 1995.
Tyson, who returned to the ring in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, is expected to face Paul in a similar format. Concerns have been raised about Tyson’s health due to his age, with a 31-year age gap between him and Paul. However, Tyson remains determined and insists he is in great condition to compete again. Critics of the fight have been met with defiance from Tyson, who is reportedly set to earn $20 million for the event, highlighting the lucrative nature of these comeback fights.