‘That guy will hurt you’ – WWE legend Ric Flair urges Jake Paul to avoid fighting 56-year-old boxing icon Mike Tyson
RIC FLAIR has strongly urged Jake Paul to avoid fighting Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned boxer has refused to rule out a bout with Tyson, who he is friends with and 30 years younger than.
WWE legend Ric Flair with Mike TysonCredit: Instagram / @ricflairnatureboy
Jake Paul pictured with Mike TysonCredit: Twitter@jakepaul
But WWE legend Flair insisted it is not a good idea – for Paul at least.
He said on Joe Rogan’s podcast: “I’ll tell you what though, one thing he doesn’t wanna do is fight Mike.
“He wants to fight Mike, I think. Mike’s in good shape too. Mike trains everyday. Yeah, he don’t wanna fight Mike.”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has been a big supporter of Paul’s boxing career, but also warned him about fighting Tyson.
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Rogan added: “Like, I don’t give a f*** if you think he’s 55-years-old, that guy will hurt you.
“If Jake Paul’s on the other side of the ring and sees Mike Tyson just f*****g bobbing and weaving, he’s gonna have a recognition.
“He’s gonna look over and go, ‘Oh my God, that’s really Mike Tyson.'”
Tyson, 56, retired in 2005 but made a shock comeback 15 years later for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr, 54, which ended in a draw.
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It led to the likes of Paul, 26, being aligned with the heavyweight icon for a similar spectacle showdown.
The American most recently lost to Tommy Fury, 23, in February and returns on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38.
Tyson was a special guest in Saudi Arabia the week Paul lost to Fury and admitted it had him reminiscing about his heyday.
He said on his podcast: “I just always wanted to be a fighter. That’s all I wanted to do my whole life was be a fighter, nothing else.
“I miss this stuff, I didn’t think I’d miss it until I was at the weigh-in in Saudi Arabia for [Paul-Fury]. You miss being the centre of attention.”
Tyson has been linked with a rematch with Jones as well as a trilogy bout against old rival Evander Holyfield, 60.
Up until now Iron Mike has remained happy in retirement but leaves the door open to another exhibition.
Tyson told TMZ Sports: “I don’t know, I’m just chilling out.
“I did that, I wanted to do that, I did that. People also in Saudi Arabia want me to do this stuff too. I don’t know, I could be persuaded.”
Mike Tyson after his comeback fight in 2020Credit: Reuters More