Paige VanZant doesn’t want to see Mike Tyson tarnish his legacy against Jake Paul.
Last week, it was revealed that the former unified heavyweight world champion would return to the boxing ring on July 20 for a clash with YouTube sensation Jake Paul. Scheduled to emanate from the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the announcement was met with a mixed reaction from fighters and fans, many of them disparaging Paul for once again fighting a past-his-prime fighter.
MVP + Netflix – A Heavyweight Fight
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
El Gallo vs The Baddest Man EverLive globally on Netflix to all 260 million subscribers.#PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/X10rgAgJle
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) March 7, 2024
Speaking about the polarizing pairing, former UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler Paige VanZant — alongside husband and fellow fighter Austin Vanderford — shared their honest reaction to the news.
“I don’t want it to happen,” Vanderford admitted during the latest episode of A Kickass Love Story. “As much respect as Mike Tyson deserves, he’s 57 years old and unfortunately, father time is undefeated and I just don’t love the thought of him putting himself out there and his legacy like this, but I get the payday. When you’re making money, you start to spend more money and you do these things. I can’t imagine he needs the money, but you never know and you always want to set up the next generation, or whatever his thought process is.”
Adding her thoughts, VanZant was quick to compliment both Logan and Jake Paul for what they’ve accomplished across multiple platforms but questioned whether or not a win over Tyson — who will be 58 by the time fight night rolls around — is as commendable as ‘The Problem Child’ thinks it is.
“I can appreciate everything the Paul brothers do,” VanZant added. Jake and Logan are extremely smart. I commend them for the hard work they’ve put into their craft, whether it’s infamous, notorious, or whatever your thoughts are. It’s all very strategic. They’ve created a way to transcend more than one avenue that they were good at, like the YouTube and social media realm, and now basically take over MMA, boxing, and WWE.
“But I don’t know how a win over Mike Tyson — as incredible as it would be — I don’t know if beating 57-year-old Mike Tyson is that commendable. I know we’re all going to tune in.”
Paige VanZant Doesn’t Know What to Expect with Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
VanZant’s biggest fear is seeing Tyson, a bonafide legend in the world of boxing, tarnish his legacy against an influencer more than 30 years younger than he is.
“Because we grew up as fight fans and watching these boxers, we don’t want to see their legacy tarnished and I think that’s the biggest fear of ours going into it,” VanZant said. “I want it to at least be a good fight, but I don’t know what I’m expecting.”
Kickstarting his career as a professional fighter in 1985, Mike Tyson dispatched his first 19 opponents by way of knockout before capturing the WBA, WBC, and IBF world titles. He closed out his career in 2005 going 50-6 with 44 of his wins via KO/TKO.
In November 2020, he returned to the ring for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr. that went to an eight-round draw.
It is unclear if Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul will be a professional bout or an exhibition match.
Watch the full podcast episode below:
