Mike Tyson’s comeback fight in November brought the sport down and did nothing to help in the long run.
That’s the view of Top Rank Chairman and long-time boxing promoter Bob Arum, who has had enough of YouTubers taking the spotlight.
Arum, who is still looking after boxers after a fifty-year career in the sport, aired his knowledgeable views on Jake Paul’s forthcoming fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“Jake Paul is not fighting a real fighter. That is not even boxing. I mean Chavez Jr, I thought he had hung up the gloves a long time ago,” Arum told Fight Hub TV.
The former Chavez Jr. promoter, who also promoted Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., added that Tyson’s loss to Paul had zero to do with pugilistic skill.
“Jake Paul is not a boxer. It’s a spectacle. The Tyson event was demeaning for the sport of boxing,” pointed out Arum. “Tyson was an old man. What are we talking about?
“But again, if Netflix or somebody else wants to pay for that event, that’s fine, but I have absolutely no interest in it.
“I have no interest in a Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight because it’s not boxing.”
Having guided Chavez to becoming the WBC middleweight champion and eventually a Pay Per View with Sergio Martinez, perfectly positions Arum to comment on the Mike Tyson fight.
Paul facing Chavez after fighting Tyson is a step up as a boxing match, but his opponent is far removed from his days as a world champion.
The recent press conference proved Paul has zero respect for Chavez, unless Tyson, who the influencer boxer knew would elevate his controversial persona in the sport.
🤯 “That’s not even BOXING! I mean Chavez Jr should have hung up, I thought he had hung up the gloves a long time ago!”- Bob Arum
-Bob Arum says Jake Paul is not a boxer-Has no interest to watch Paul vs Chavez Jr.
🔗: https://t.co/bG3nLzzBeu pic.twitter.com/jT3YnftAOW
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) May 20, 2025
Arum is one of many detractors who feel Tyson’s return at 58 was a pointless exercise other than lining both participant’s pockets.
Gary Cobia, who recently faced a 59-year-old Oliver McCall, spoke to World Boxing News to add his thoughts on Tyson before his defeat.
“I decided to come back after watching Tyson fight [Jake] Paul and Oliver [McCall] fighting [Stacy] Frazier. I figured I was in my early 50s and wanted a challenge,” Cobia told WBN.
On the Tyson fight, which saw ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ lose on points to Paul without making any inroads into the bout, Cobia added, “I was surprised he lost even at 58!
“I don’t know if it was set up that way or if Mike couldn’t move fast enough. I watched a lot of training videos. He seemed to be in good shape and quick with his punches.”
Tim Bradley, who was a world champion under Arum and reinvented himself as an analyst and vlogger, has never held back on Tyson vs. Paul.
“Jake Paul is a b*m. I tried to tell you guys. Straight up con artist. He’s a magician. He’s going straight to the bank. Mike Tyson is the one who sold this fight.
“I told you all he’s 58 years old, all that wear and tear on his body. He’s a senior citizen, basically. He didn’t do anything to Jake Paul.
“He probably landed one or two punches all night, if any. It’s terrible, man,” he concluded.
Despite the staunch opposition, Paul will defeat his first world champion this summer and call out more significant names in his quest for recognition.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil has been an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
