Ricky Hatton has questioned whether Mike Tyson is in any ‘condition’ to beat Jake Paul in their boxing fight later in the year.
The two men are set to finally lock horns on November 15, having originally intended to do battle on July 20.
Earlier this year, Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up that forced his fight with Paul to be delayed.
The boxing icon, who is regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time, has since insisted that he’s recovered after he ‘got sick’.
Mike Tyson’s ‘condition’ has been questioned by Ricky Hatton ahead of his controversial boxing fight with Jake Paul on November 15
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Yet Hatton is concerned for Tyson and is furious that the fight with Paul is going ahead.
“I’ve seen it and Mike Tyson was pushing him but with a smile on his face which shows to me that it’s a bit for camera,” he told Action Network.
“I think it’s madness. Mike Tyson is one of my heroes and is one who is everyone’s hero and I have no doubt that he is one of Jake Paul’s heroes.
“So why you would want to fight one of your heroes who is nearly 60 years of age? And potentially hurting one of your heroes is madness.
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“Mike looks great on the pads, really explosive and I hope I’m like him at 60 but that’s only 10 seconds bursts.
“Can he maintain it for a number of rounds? I’m all for the exhibitions. MMA fighters can fight, YouTubers can fight someone else and I get that world exists but I think something should be put in place to stop something like this happening.
“Mike is our hero and is 58 years old. He has every chance of flattening Jake Paul but at 58, is he in condition to come back from what’s going to come at him by Jake Paul?
“I can’t say I’m a fan of this.”
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At a press conference on Sunday, Paul trashed Tyson.
The 27-year-old was subsequently booed by those in attendance, much to his annoyance.
Paul is a marmite figure in boxing, having split opinion during his 11 professional bouts so far.
He has won 10 of those fights, with his defeat to former Love Island star Tommy Fury the only time he’s failed to reign supreme.
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul faced off at a press conference on Sunday
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Hatton was unimpressed by Paul’s trash talk, however.
And he’s aimed a brutal insult at the 27-year-old, labelling him a ‘bit of a d**k’.
“I’ve only seen it from a distance, but I think Jake Paul is a bit of a d**k to be honest with you,” he said.
“I get that’s the world we live in now with the youngsters on social media and the YouTubers, it’s what they love with a bit of controversy.
Mike Tyson shoved Jake Paul as the two boxers faced off at a press conference on Sunday
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“It’s just from an era that I didn’t come from. I had a massive following (as a boxer) and I didn’t slag anyone off or call anyone names or threaten anyone.
“I find some of the stuff not just from Jake but other people in this era, I just think what’s the game come to?
“You’re talking about someone who is 58 and you’re saying ‘I’m going to put him into retirement’. I wouldn’t want to fight anyone at 58 years old.
“Nothing seems to surprise me anymore and I don’t get wound up from it or too involved in it, I just accept it for what it is these days.”
Source Agencies
