Tony Bellew believes Jake Paul needs to start fighting real opposition after Mike Tyson if he wants to prove he is serious about boxing.
Paul’s 12th professional fight will take place on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, when he is bizarrely set to do battle with 58-year-old heavyweight legend Tyson, who will be making a full professional comeback.
There have been widespread health concerns for Tyson, given he suffers from sciatica and has already withdrawn from the contest once in July with poor health.
Nonetheless he will return 19 years on from his last competitive professional outing, where he was forced to quit on the stool against Kevin McBride.
And former world champion Bellew refused to blame Tyson, who he believes was simply left no option given the financial incentive.
“I think it’s sad that it is sanctioned,” Bellew told talkSPORT.com, as an ambassador for the launch of mental health campaign Men on a Mission, which raises awareness for mental health and unhealthy drinking patterns in men aged 55+.
“Jake Paul is not a real professional boxer, he is targeting the older demographic and start fighting older men.
“If Mike lets him survive, where is he going to target next, the old people’s home? It is crazy.
“I get it with Mike and his side, if someone is going to throw enough money at you, everyone has a price.
“I totally get it but from Jake Paul’s side, I think it’s sad he wanted it to be on Tyson’s professional record.
“You are facing a guy who is a grandfather, it is an absolute joke. I get the demand but it is a joke.”
Bellew then added by making an ultimatum to Paul on his boxing future: “You are an absolute joke.
“If he is really interested in boxing, and you really do want to win something then stop picking on grandads.”
Paul has harboured a great deal of the blame for the fight being sanctioned, given he is the younger fighter at 27-years-old and is in his physical prime.
But he has suggested that it was Tyson who made the first approach for the bout to count on their records, with Iron Mike’s pro record containing greats such as Larry Holmes and Frank Bruno.
Despite his health, Tyson is determined to defy the odds and take the risk by beating Paul by KO.
The legendary heavyweight has kept fans updated throughout his training camp, with short clips that have shown he still possesses his frightening power in short bursts.
It even showed him dropping a sparring partner, which even concerned Paul.
But Bellew believes this isn’t reality, and believes age will be the ultimate factor in determining the outcome.
“We’ve all seen YouTube clips, I can put one of my career up and I’d look like Roy Jones Jr.
“But age waits for no man, grandfather time is undefeated. Show me a full round of sparring.
“Show me you in the ring with anyone of note at all and we can go from there.”
Bellew is supporting Men On A Mission, who are offering help to those in need over 55, who are struggling with their health.
The former boxer is working with DRINKiQ and Men’s Sheds’ centres that those can attend for help nationwide.
He said: “It’s a cause I’m behind there is too many men dying. I’m amazed at what Men’s Sheds and what they do and was taken back by how brilliant the work is.”
“They are helping men to talk but they are willing to listen to anybody. You are doing the most important thing which is talking.”
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