McGregor thinks Paul’s controversial fight against ‘Iron Mike’ sets a bad precedent for boxing and his opinion has been echoed by ring legend Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has voiced the same concerns as Conor McGregor for Jake Paul and Mike Tyson ‘s fight.
‘Iron Mike’ is making a return to boxing at the age of 58 when he faces social media sensation Paul on July 20 at the 80,000 seat AT&T Stadium in Texas. Former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson hasn’t fought in a professional bout for almost two decades but did go eight rounds with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
McGregor is amongst those who think the controversial fight is doing more harm than good for boxing and De La Hoya echoed those comments whilst speaking about the YouTuber-turned-boxer. “I actually like Jake Paul for what he’s doing and the attention he’s bringing to the sport and what he wants to do with his promotional company and help the fighters,” he told The MMA Hour.
“He also talks about being a world champion and taking it seriously. Well, this is not serious, fighting Mike Tyson. Yes, I can understand it’s a lot of money, it’s going to attract a lot of eyeballs. The only critique I have for Jake Paul is that if you want to take the sport seriously then take the route world champions take.
“Fighting top 20, top 10, top five opponents and eventually becoming the mandatory to the world champion. That’s how you do it. That’s how you gain the respect from the fight fans, not fighting Tyson.” McGregor thinks any of Paul’s younger fans that are inspired to take up boxing will get the wrong aspirations because of his crossover bouts.
“For me, it does set a bad precedent in the industry because what you’ve got now is – and I would say this to the young athletes coming up, men and women; don’t aspire to be one of these YouTube fighters. Aspire for world titles. Aspire for [the Olympics]. That is how you etch your name in history,” McGregor told SiriusXM.
“Doing these little smash-and-grab fights, you might get a few likes, but there’s nothing substantial to it. It’s hollow. It can be profitable, but it’s hollow. I’m noticing a trend in young fighters coming up that are not even interested in competing in the amateur scene or rising up to win a national title. You need the gold on the waist. You need to etch your name on the belt.”
