Boxing legend Tony Bellew has criticized Jake Paul’s glove choice in his fight with Mike Tyson, calling the bout “sad” and urging fans to boycott until Paul faces legitimate opponents
Jake Paul will return to the ring on Friday(Image: Getty Images)
Jake Paul faced backlash over his glove selection for his bout with Mike Tyson last year – but he still failed to secure a knockout against the boxing icon.
Paul won against Tyson by decision, though the then 58-year-old Tyson only managed to connect with 18 punches versus Paul’s 78. The one-sided boxing contest drew sharp criticism, with former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew leading the charge.
Taking to social media, Bellew, a vocal critic of Paul, vented: “The gloves Mike has on are looking heavily padded while Jake has on Grants, which are full on puncher’s gloves. There is a huge difference in them gloves, and I’m only watching from a bed.”
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The retired fighter pulled no punches in his denunciation of the event, holding viewers accountable. He declared: “We are all to blame for this man! We are all talking and watching!”
Bellew pressed on with his criticism, urging fans to shun Paul’s upcoming bouts unless he takes on credible challengers. “We have to stop this fool [Paul]! Don’t tune into him until he fights someone who is fit, healthy, and not a grandfather!
“Any proper boxing people helping Paul need to look at themselves! This is just sad.”
Paul punches Mike Tyson(Image: Getty Images)
Despite his anger, Bellew did recognize Paul’s post-fight assertion that the younger fighter intentionally eased up to prevent seriously hurting his older opponent.
Bellew continued: “I don’t like this stupid idiot kid, but I will say this… he stopped beating on Mike there and showed him some respect and dignity by letting him survive.
“He didn’t go for the KO there, he stepped off him and let him be.”
Paul faces Anthony Joshua in Miami on Friday, taking on a significantly more powerful puncher in the former two-time heavyweight world champion.
Despite the challenge ahead, Paul has forecast he will knock out the British fighter in the fifth or sixth round of their eight-round bout.
“I don’t think he can knock me out because he’s not going to be able to line up his shots properly to be able to land the hard punch,” Paul said on The Pat McAfee Show.
“I think it’s going to be a very tough fight for multiple rounds, but then when I figure out his pacing, his style, his speed, his footwork, he’s going to get a little bit tired trying to chase me around, and then I’m going to set up the shot.
“I’m not going to say exactly what, but I see what it is and I think it will end in the fifth or sixth round.”
