Amidst the hype and anticipation, former world champion Sergio Mora steps into the ring of skepticism, questioning the fairness of this unlikely matchup.
Mora’s doubts stem from the stark age gap between the two fighters and Tyson’s prolonged absence from the ring. In his eyes, pitting a seasoned warrior like Tyson against a youthful powerhouse like Paul seems inherently unfair. “You’re fighting a senior citizen,” Mora asserts, casting a shadow of doubt over the legitimacy of the bout.
Further complicating matters is Tyson’s impressive yet fleeting training clips, which Mora believes may paint a deceptive picture of the former heavyweight champion’s capabilities. While Tyson may appear formidable in brief social media snippets, Mora warns against underestimating the toll of age and inactivity on his endurance. The real question, he suggests, lies in Tyson’s ability to sustain his ferocity beyond fleeting glimpses of training intensity.
Amidst Mora’s concerns looms the specter of uncertainty surrounding Tyson’s stamina in the absence of headgear. Without the protective cushioning, Mora predicts a grim outcome for Tyson, speculating that he may succumb to Paul’s relentless onslaught, prompting an early stoppage.
“Man, I’ve always been a critic of Jake Paul and, you know, having him fight real fighters and boxers. But fighting a fighter that hasn’t fought in over 20 years of Mike Tyson, he got beat, you know, 20 years ago. And he got knocked out in the last two fights. So at 57, 58 years old, that’s come on, you’re fighting a senior citizen, you know, and it’s not fair,” he asserted
Furthermore, Mora elaborates on the deceptive nature of Tyson’s impressive but brief training clips. “He can look like a beast, Mike Tyson, for like the 10-second clips that he posts on social media. Anyone could do it. I could look like a killer right now on the pads for 10 seconds. But as soon as he turns that camera off, I’m gonna be huffing and puffing and sore,”
“If there’s no headgear, I think Mike gets beat up where they probably stopped the fight,”
However, Mora isn’t alone in expressing apprehension over Tyson’s prospects. Stand-up comedian Aries Spears echoes similar sentiments, blending admiration for Tyson’s enduring power with concerns about his ability to weather Paul’s refined technique. While Spears acknowledges Tyson’s formidable speed and strength, he shares Mora’s doubts about his endurance in the face of a younger, more polished opponent.
As the countdown to July 20th intensifies, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Tyson and Paul. While the allure of a clash between a seasoned legend and a brash upstart captivates audiences, skepticism persists over the fairness and legitimacy of the matchup.
“I want to see Jake Paul get his a** whooped too, but… my biggest fear is that Mike doesn’t have the endurance,” Spears admitted.