Jake Paul’s failure to beat Tommy Fury is a sign he isn’t good enough to topple boxing legend Mike Tyson.
That’s the view of four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr, who has offered his prediction for the fight at the AT&T Stadium on Friday night.
Roy Jones Jr was the last man to share the ring with the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ when they fought to a draw in their exhibition contest in November 2020.
In the build-up to Paul vs Tyson, Jones Jr revealed his ex-rival hit him harder than anyone else from his career – despite the American being 54 at the time.
And Paul got a sneak peak at Tyson’s power in Thursday’s weigh-in, which saw the YouTuber-turned-boxer slapped in the face by the 58-year-old.
Jones Jr, who has won world titles at middleweight, super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight, is backing ‘Iron Mike’ to emerge victorious in Texas.
The 55-year-old believes Paul’s defeat to Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy in February 2023 is proof that the ‘Problem Child’ doesn’t have the power to beat a legitimate boxer.
Speaking on the latest episode of talkSPORT Boxing, Jones Jr was asked whether Tyson wins the contest, which boasts eight, two-minute rounds.
To which he said: “In my humble opinion, if Jake Paul struggled against Tommy Fury how in the hell are you going to beat Mike Tyson?”
He later added: “You can’t beat Tommy Fury and a guy who hasn’t been world champion, how you going to beat Mike Tyson, who is the youngest heavyweight champion of all time?
“To me, this is my opinion, I can’t see that happening.
“Now, this is Hollywood we live in nowadays, the social media is about Hollywood, it’s about what happens tomorrow, who makes the most money tomorrow.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson predictions and betting tips
“So that being said, it’s hard to say what’s really going to happen.
“But I think we actually know that a real Mike Tyson even at 60-years-old, still destroys Jake Paul at 27, at 25 at 23, no matter how old he is.
Paul goes into the contest with a 10-1 record inside the squared circle, with seven of his victories coming inside the distance.
With five KO’s coming in the first two rounds, there has been talk that Tyson could struggle to deal with his 27-year-old opponents’ power in the opening stages.
However Jones Jr has full belief Tyson can handle anything Paul throws at him, as he stated: “I don’t fear for Mike at all.
“When I fought Mike four years ago, in round six, seven and eight, Mike was just as active as he was in round one, two, three, because they were two-minute rounds, so that’s perfect for Mike.”
He continued: “I think this [fight between Paul vs Tyson] should fall under exhibition rules.
“But that being said, I still think if they go and do it the way they’re supposed to do it and really fight a great fight, Jake always struggles in the late rounds.
“If you look at the Nate Diaz fight [Paul unanimous decision win], Jake had a hard time with Nate Diaz really after round three.”
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Fight Odds:
Jake Paul – 4/7
Mike Tyson – 7/4
Draw – 9/1
*odds subject to change
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