Eddie Hearn: Mike Tyson 'shot to pieces 20 years ago,' has no business fighting Jake Paul

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says Mike Tyson has no business fighting again.

Tyson (50-6-2), 58, returns against Jake Paul (10-1) on Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The pair were originally scheduled to box in July, but the bout was postponed after Tyson had an ulcer flareup.

Tyson hasn’t competed since an exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Hearn questioned the decision of having Tyson lace up the gloves again officially for the first time in almost 20 years.

“What, what, what on earth are we doing?” Hearn asked the Daily Mail. “I’m lucky enough to have a business where we don’t need to do that, and I will never do that.”

Although Hearn helped promote Logan Paul vs. KSI in 2019, he doesn’t condone a boxing legend approaching 60 to compete against a young and active fighter.

“Anyone who thinks (Tyson) should be in the ring right now either doesn’t have his best interests at heart or is an idiot,” Hearn said. “Mike Tyson left the sport of boxing – which was, what, 20 years ago. I don’t know, something like that. He was shot to pieces.

“You honestly think a fighter who was shot to pieces 20 years ago should now be coming back? I mean, I know he is only fighting Jake Paul, but it doesn’t matter. Jake Paul’s a powerful kid. He trains everyday. He can punch. I get it. I get the business. I’m not criticizing them, but for me, no thank you, not in a million years.”