Fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul could lead to demands from fans to “ban” boxing | Boxing | Sport

Jake Paul has received a stark warning that his upcoming fight against Mike Tyson could spark calls for a ban from boxing if the YouTube star inflicts serious injuries on the veteran boxer.

The two will face off in Arlington, Texas on November 15 after their original fight was postponed due to a medical emergency involving Tyson. Concerns over Tyson's health remain, particularly after the 58-year-old admitted he “finds it difficult” to walk after training and is set to undergo a medical evaluation before the fight.

Former professional boxer Paulie Malignaggi has voiced his concerns and warned Paul of the potential consequences of Tyson getting injured during the fight. He commented: “Head punches from young, strong guys Mike's age are not good. When you're younger, you can handle punches better.”

Malignaggi further stressed the risks of taking hits for an older athlete: “When you're older, your body is no longer designed to withstand these kinds of injuries. Bad things could happen. If something like that were to happen, people would demand a ban on the sport.”

“Personally, I don't think his fight with Jake Paul should happen. He'll be 58 then. 58 is still 58. We live in a generation that doesn't understand that aging is a real thing. You can show highlights of Mike from the '80s, but the guy who steps into the ring isn't going to be the same Mike Tyson.”

Malignaggi has expressed serious concerns about the potential damage Paul could do to Tyson due to his age. Speaking to Canada Casino, he warned: “Jake Paul may not be world class, but he's certainly not a novice. He's been boxing for about five years.”

“After four years of boxing, I won the US national championship, so Jake is anything but a novice.

“He is strong and young. Beating someone Tyson's age involves great risks.

“Tyson couldn't take punches well at 36, let alone today. When you hit a guy that old, it affects him. Imagine what it would do to him if a strong guy like Jake hit him. I don't want to find out.”

Malignaggi is not the only one concerned about the upcoming fight. UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock also voiced his concerns, saying that if Paul wins, fans could mourn the loss of a boxing icon.

“I say that because, like I said, I think what Jake Paul and the other guys are doing is really awesome,” Shamrock explained. “I think it's awesome that they never face a challenger, but still make more money than they would in any world championship fight. I mean, it's awesome, but this is not good. Because Jake Paul can't win.”

“(If Paul) wins, it leaves a very bad taste in the world of boxing. It's a disappointment for an organization that loved Mike Tyson. It's like the death of someone and it should be victorious for Jake Paul and I think for the small group of people that follow him, yes, but in this whole atmosphere of boxing, it's going to feel like someone died.”