Jake Paul’s announcement of a boxing match against Mike Tyson on July 20 has been met with widespread criticism from MMA fighters and combat sports enthusiasts, with UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano calling it “absolutely disgusting” and suggesting fans should protest.
Jake Paul, the notorious “Problem Child,” sure knows how to stir the pot. From his YouTube beginnings, he’s stepped into the professional boxing ring, ruffling feathers along the way. His latest announcement? A July 20 boxing match against the legendary Mike Tyson. And boy, did it rub MMA fighters the wrong way.
Almost unanimously, the combat sports world scoffed at the news. The idea of tuning into Netflix to watch Paul potentially knock out a 58-year-old Tyson didn’t sit well with fans. The reactions on social media were, well, fiery, to put it mildly.
UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano didn’t mince words. He called the news “absolutely disgusting.” He even suggested that fight fans should riot in protest. And he wasn’t alone in his sentiments. Michael Bisping chimed in, writing, “You should be ashamed of yourself.” He called the matchup “the biggest joke.”
Even KSI, a fellow influencer boxer, criticized his rival’s decision to fight Tyson. He wrote, “No one wanted this… sad to see.”
So, how did other combat sports athletes react to the news on social media? Let’s take a look below.
Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) tweeted, “Man… if Jake Paul is really fighting Mike Tyson we as a fight fans should riot!!! Absolutely disgusting!!!” He followed up with, “Netflix love money lol.”
Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) decided to join in on the fun. He tweeted, “I’ve decided to fight sugar Ray Robinson on the Paul/Tyson undercard. That’s right Robinson not Leonard.”
Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) had a different take. He tweeted, “Jake Paul is going to knockout 58 yo Mike Tyson and there is nothing you can do about it.” He added, “My brother in Christ… he is going to be 58 years old and abused his body for most of that, Jake’s is 27 and probably on steroids, this isn’t the matchup you think it is.”
And finally, Matt “The Steamrolla” Frevola (@SteamRollaa) tweeted, “Hate him or love him, you gotta respect @jakepaul as a business man. Single handedly changed the landscape of boxing in many ways.”