Boxing

OSCAR DE LA HOYA credited Mike Tyson and Jake Paul for ‘creating attention that boxing hasn’t seen in a long time’.
The pair were in the headlines in November, as Tyson made his return to the ring after 15 years out, while Paul scored a viral knockout.

Mike Tyson pictured after his comeback fightCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Jake Paul celebrates his knockout against Nate Robinson Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Iron Mike’s comeback, aged 54, and YouTuber Paul’s venture into boxing have both been criticised for various reasons.
But promoter De La Hoya – who is also planning to fight once again – was in full support of Tyson’s exhibition spectacle against Roy Jones Jr.
The 47-year-old boxer told Bloomberg: “It was entertainment.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, for the first time in a long time, fans and people were congregating to watch an event.

“Mike Tyson is such an inspiration, he got in good shape and looked good.”
De La Hoya had a similar view on Paul, who is now 2-0 since turning professional at the start of 2020.
He said: “We’re appreciative of a Jake Paul who is a boxer now.
“He’s creating attention that boxing hasn’t seen in a long time.”

Oscar De La Hoya was in full support of Tyson and Paul Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Tyson, 54, drew with Jones, 51, after eight rounds in what was his first fight since 2005.
But the night belonged to Paul, 23, who left ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 36, out cold and into a meme following a brutal KO.
And the social media phenomenon will return to the ring in 2021, having sent offers to retired UFC pair Ben Askren, 36, and Michael Bisping, 41.
Meanwhile, his older brother Logan, 25, is preparing to fight Floyd Mayweather, 43, in February.
The fellow internet sensation has fought only once as a pro, losing by split-decision to rival KSI, 27, with a two point deduction costing him the result.

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MIKE TYSON revealed his kids have become addicted to boxing after he had fitness programme FightCamp set up in his home.
The heavyweight legend revealed he uses the interactive boxing workout regime in his house and cannabis ranch to help maintain fitness.

Mike Tyson revealed his kids have become addicted to boxing after he set up fitness programme FightCamp at home

Tyson has the interactive boxing workout regime in his house and cannabis ranch

FightCamp helps calculate your workout by recording and tracking rounds, punch output and speed, among other stats.
And according to Iron Mike, it has helped inspire his daughter Milan, 12, and son Morocco, 9, to enjoy their father’s past time.
Tyson, 54, wrote on Instagram: “It was a cool way to introduce boxing to my kids and now I can’t keep them off it.
“It’s been a few months since we got it. I use it for combination drills and Milan & Morocco use the pre-programmed workouts.

“It helps @milantyson with pivot moves that help her tennis game. It helps my son, Morocco stay focused.
“They are both homeschooled so it’s a good way to get in more exercise.”
Tyson has six children, Mikey Lorna, 30, Rayna, 24, Amir, 23, Miguel, 18, Milan and Morocco.

And they watched as their iconic dad returned to the ring after 15 years out in November, and to massive pay-per-view success.

Tyson and Roy Jones Jr, 51, boxed to a draw over eight exhibition rounds in a fight that provided more clinching than punching.
Iron Mike confirmed afterwards that he will lace up the gloves as soon as possible, and even called for a rematch.
And it appears he is wasting no time in preparing for his next fight after recent footage emerged of Tyson hitting the pads with trainer Rafael Cordeiro.

Trainer Rafael Cordeiro with Tyson Credit: @kingsmma_hb More

EDDIE HEARN is ‘discussing a two-fight deal’ for Canelo Alvarez to face Avni Yildirim and then Billy Joe Saunders.
Hearn promoted the Mexican’s last fight, where he beat Callum Smith for the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine super-middleweight titles.

Canelo Alvarez is in talks with Eddie Hearn over a two-fight deal Credit: Handout – Getty

Now, Canelo has 90 days to defend his WBC crown against mandatory challenger Yildirim.
According to The Athletic, Hearn is negotiating with Alvarez’s manager and trainer Eddy Reynoso in a bid to promote their next two fights.
The first would be against Turk Yildirim, 29, in Canelo’s hometown, Guadalajara, Mexico on February 27.
And if Alvarez, 30, is successful in his defence, he would then be lined up with WBO champion Saunders, also 30, in a unification.

Hearn promotes the unbeaten Brit and had a deal in place for the southpaw to face Canelo this summer, until the coronavirus pandemic KO’d the clash.
Saunders returned to the ring in December, beating veteran Martin Murray and afterwards called to revive his fight with Canelo.
Alvarez himself wants to fight the 2008 Olympian, in a bid to unify the 168lb division.

Avni Yildirim is Canelo’s WBC mandatory challenger Credit: Instagram @avniyildirim

Billy Joe Saunders is in line to fight Canelo Credit: PA:Press Association

Hearn is also hoping to tie down Alvarez’s immediate future to DAZN.

Canelo did have an 11-fight deal with Golden Boy Promotions to fight on the streaming service, but it was terminated this year.
Despite the legal dispute, Alvarez still fought Smith on DAZN and would also do the same against Yildirim and Saunders.

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