In an unexpected and rather stunning development in the world of professional boxing, former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson dished out words of caution to ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson concerning a proposed bout with internet personality turned boxer, Jake Paul. Nelson, who understands the nuances of the sport likes few others, has warned the legendary fighter of the potential risk and implications this matchup might possess.
“Mike Tyson should not entertain the prospect of entering the ring with Jake Paul,” warned Nelson, who cited Tyson’s age and years away from active professional boxing as key factors in his statement. Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight scene in the late 80s and early 90s, made a return to the sport in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Despite the bout ending in a draw, Tyson’s performance raised several eyebrows, giving rise to speculations about possible future fights.
However, the sudden creation of internet stars in boxing, such as Jake Paul, has Nelson wary. Paul’s growing fame in the sport comes from his mostly surprising knockout victories against fighters such as former NBA player Nate Robinson and former MMA world champion, Ben Askren. Jake Paul’s transition to professional boxing has attracted a large amount of attention, significantly increasing the commercial appeal of any fight he’s involved in.
Nelson was cautious while discussing the potential matchup, pointing out the difference in motive behind Jake Paul’s foray into boxing compared to traditional fighters. “Internet personalities like Jake come into the sport with a different kind of hustle and their own fan-base, that doesn’t change the fact that they’re real fighters now with professional records,” Nelson said. He believes that despite Paul’s relative inexperience compared to Tyson, his youth and active training may present significant challenges for the older fighter.
Not limiting his commentary to Tyson and Paul, Nelson also had some choice words for boxing’s current pound-for-pound king, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Recently, Canelo has drawn criticism from parts of the boxing community on his choice of opponents, with some suggesting he’s been strategically ‘cherry picking’ fighters that present the least risk.
“Canelo is cherry picking!” Nelson voiced during the candid conversation. Reflecting on the Mexican’s last few fights, Nelson emphasized that Canelo’s choice of opponents doesn’t seem to align with the sport’s traditional hierarchy and ranking system. The perception of Canelo avoiding prime fighters in his weight class and preferring lesser-known or aging opponents feeds this controversial narrative. Nelson calls for Canelo to silence critics by taking on stronger adversaries instead of easy pickings to solidify his legacy in the sport.
Boxing has always thrived on the unexpected, the controversy, and the hype that revolve around high-profile matchups. As fans and pundits alike speculate about the potentialities of these two scenarios, the warnings and messages of legends like Johnny Nelson offer a compelling and cautionary perspective, reminding us of the realities of the sport and what needs to be done to maintain its integrity.
With a scenario where boxing royalty might step into the ring with a social media maverick, and another where the current number one pound-for-pound could be strategically planning his route, it seems the thrill and drama of boxing are as alive as ever–and everyone awaits eagerly to see how these narratives unfold.
