Mike Tyson breaks silence on $50million Jake Paul exhibition fight

Tyson and Paul were reported to have verbally agreed to fight in an exhibition bout in Las Vegas later this year, but the heavyweight legend has denied the claim

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John Kavanagh “would love” to train Logan and Jake Paul

Mike Tyson has rubbished claims he will fight Jake Paul in a $50million exhibition bout.

Reports on Monday claimed the former heavyweight world champion would take on YouTube star Paul in Las Vegas later this year.

But Tyson, who partied with Paul over New Year, has now said: “This is new to me. I saw Jake in St. Barths and he never mentioned it.”

Tyson retired from the professional ring in 2005 when he retired on his stool after five rounds of his bout against Kevin McBride.

He returned in 2020 for an exhibition with fellow ring legend Roy Jones Jr with the veterans fighting to a draw.

Paul fought on the undercard, knocking out former basketball star Nate Robinson in the second round of the YouTube star’s second professional fight.

The social media star, who at 25 is 30 years younger than Tyson, went on to extend his record to 5-0 last year with two victories over Tyron Woodley and one over Ben Askren.

Paul is now taking a break from the sport until the summer as he focuses on promoting stablemate Amanda Serrano’s clash with Katie Taylor.

A source had told The Sun: “Mike and Jake are on board for an exhibition bout in Las Vegas.

“A verbal deal has been struck to get it on, but like all forms of sports business, now it’s all about the contracts and money split.

“Mike is looking for a certain figure to get into the ring with a profit share guarantee.

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“Jake obviously has that on his mind but is keen to show the world that stepping into the ring with a man once called the baddest man on the planet, takes his boxing career to the next level.

“This fight bridges the gap between old school boxing fans and the new generation of followers.”

Tyson had previously praised Jake and elder brother Logan for their impact on boxing.

Logan has fought once professionally, losing to fellow YouTuber KSI in 2019 before taking Floyd Mayweather all six rounds of their exhibition bout last summer.

Indeed, Logan had been linked with a clash with Tyson this year and refused to deny reports he had been in talks.