As the boxing world turns its eyes toward the unconventional match-up between YouTube celebrity Jake Paul and the legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, the fight continues to draw mixed reactions, especially from the ranks of professional boxers. Scheduled for July 20, this event marks Tyson’s return to professional boxing after a 19-year hiatus, following his last official match against Kevin McBride in 2005.

The fight, which will take place in Texas, has been upgraded from an exhibition to a professional bout due to intervention by Texas boxing authorities. However, the decision has not settled well with many in the boxing community. Scottish boxer Josh Taylor, who is preparing for his own rematch against Jack Catterall in Leeds on May 25, expressed his disinterest and skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the Paul vs. Tyson fight.

“I’ve not really been paying attention because I have no interest in Jake Paul whatsoever,” Taylor told Express Sport. “He’s purely a showman and, while credit to him for making a fortune and doing well for himself, I just don’t take these fights very seriously because it’s not real boxing.”

Taylor’s sentiments echo a broader sentiment within the sport—discontent with celebrity boxing matches that seem to prioritize entertainment over athletic competition. “It’s a 57-year-old man fighting against a guy in the prime of his life,” he added, highlighting the age and experience disparity between Tyson and Paul.

This bout continues to stir controversy, with some viewing it as a mere spectacle rather than a serious athletic contest. Even as Tyson, once dubbed the ‘baddest man on the planet,’ prepares to step back into the ring, the fight is seen by many, including seasoned professionals like Taylor, as a mismatch that undermines the sport’s integrity.